Don't wait for the light at the end of the tunnel, bring some light in today

"You couldn't have it if you did want it," the Queen said. "The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday – but never jam to-day."

This is how the conversation went between Alice (of Wonderland fame) and the White Queen in Lewis Carroll's book ‘Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There’.

"It must come sometimes to 'jam to-day'," Alice objected.

"No, it can't," said the Queen. "It's jam every other day: to-day isn't any other day, you know."

"I don't understand you," said Alice. "It's dreadfully confusing!"

Our role as leaders is not just to help our teams see the light at the end of the tunnel (jam tomorrow), but also, and more importantly, to bring light into the tunnel for them now (jam today).

What that means will be different for each of us, but making empty promises like the White Queen just won’t wash. As Alice said: "I don't want you to hire me – and I don't care for jam."

I’m keen to know what the individuals in your team need to motivate them in the short term and what practical steps you can take today to make a difference for them over the next week.

For example, can they connect what they're doing today with a longer-term, bigger picture for your business?