Chapter 5

The N Gene: Navigating

“Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.”

—Albert Schweitzer

NAVIGATING CULTURES are those where leaders work together with employees to move deftly with changes that occur at any time, with or without warning, within the company or out in the marketplace. Navigating is the highest level of collaboration in that it requires all parties to put their attention on their company, its marketplace, and the industry landscape. Leaders who use the N gene are captains who steer their people through great seas of change in technology and respond to the shifts in the needs of the consumer. Navigating is when every team member pulls his or her share while heading together toward a common destination.