It Is Hard to See Beyond the Forest From Behind the Trees

Imagine a wooded landscape. Bright sky and distant peaks. A forest rises in the foreground. An ecosystem appears as one. But look closer and you see the trees standing alone. Look closer again, and you see things hiding. Nature provides a metaphor for re-framing the way we think about boards and executives: When directing, the board is focused on what lies beyond the forest.When leading, executives are focused on the forest. When managing, executives are focused on the tree
When assuring or governing, the board is focused on finding the danger hidden behind the trees.