Close the Gap Between Strategy and Execution

In their book, “Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done”, authors Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan state that execution is the biggest unaddressed issue in business today. They assert that its absence is the single biggest obstacle to success and the cause of most disappointments.

Unless you translate strategic thoughts into concrete steps for action, breakthrough thinking and audacious goals are pointless.

When I begin working with business teams, they are often underperforming on their strategic objectives. They fail to produce results because of poor execution. This increases the risk for bad decisions, loss of focus, misaligned actions, and decreased cooperation. Team leaders tell me they have a problem with accountability — people aren’t doing the things they’re supposed to do to implement the plan.  They want to make changes of some kind, but what do they need to change?  They often don’t know.

What’s needed is a team that is committed to a robust discipline that links strategy and people to results — the right people, individually and collectively, focused on the right things at the right time.  They become masters at producing results, unified with winning attitudes and effective behaviors that bring about trust and accountability. They achieve what is most important to their business with less struggle, aggravation and effort. They work smarter, not harder.

Don’t confuse execution with tactics. Execution is not about being immersed in day to day logistics. It is a systematic process of devising a plan focused on the right goals, discussing hows and whats, questioning, and tenaciously following through to ensure accountability. This brings a powerful focus on the vital priorities that you and your people must achieve and builds a business that can respond assertively to opportunities.  Profitability targets are met, continuous innovation occurs and people are inspirationally involved.

Understanding how to execute builds cultures based on accountability and trust.

Tremendous energy is released when a company shifts from being backward focused to being forward focused. When people focus on where they want to go, they do what needs to be done to get there. Everyone spends less time hunting for problems and more time innovating ways to meet the ever-changing challenges.

How would executing on your most important initiatives transform your team or organization?

Need help with this topic or leadership coaching? Contact Mission Critical Teams.