Will Your Strategy Be Derailed
Months have gone by planning and strategising. Much has been invested and the stakes are high. You know your business well, you have unstoppable belief in your product, your plan and the goals you have set - but like a professional sports coach you will be relying on your team, not just to perform well, but also to deliver results against competitive odds. Because there is only so much that you can do, you will have to leave the rest to your team. So here is the pivotal question that wise leaders will always want answered - especially when the economy tightens.
'What do my vision, strategy and plan mean to my organisation who must execute it?'
- Do they see a compelling opportunity?ø
- Will its success be linked directly to their success?ø
- Will it challenge them to express themselves uniquely?ø
- Will its success enhance their future?
- Are they supported by a leader who values their potential?
A Critical Problem
Many executives and entrepreneurs have a critical 'Blind Spot' not having the means to accurately measure 1) how effective their employees are in executing their business vision and strategy; 2) the impact of their organisation's thinking and actions on profit, or 3) their true capacity to generate new income for the business - the cost of which is often staggering. It is a well-researched fact that only about 20% of employees are competitively engaged, 60% are passively engaged, while about 20% are actively disengaged. As a result, many companies do not see the underlying problems that inhibit effective strategy execution, or the growth potential they are capable of - they simply settle for what they believe is the norm.
Relying on people to execute your strategy who do not share your belief, vision or passion for your business will always massively dilute potential sales and profits, while also diverting valuable time and resources in having to manage mediocre performance. Many leaders will argue that they have taken extensive measures to communicate the company's strategy and plans to their team or organisation. However, communication is just one step. What really matters is, 'What does it mean to the people who must execute it?' Do they have an Unstoppable Belief and Desire to Perform fuelled by the deep pleasure of 'ownership'; uniqueness; confidence; passion; purpose; self-expression; achievement and reward? If they do not see your strategy as their greatest opportunity - it probably won't be your company's either.
The Solution
To create a culture supported by effective measurements and tools that empower employees at all levels to take full responsibility for diagnosing and correcting their own performance impediments to aid their own pursuit of success. Only when this is achieved will people become partners and custodians of the business's vision, opportunity and plan, seeking to manage themselves, while directing all their energy towards accomplishing the corporate task. This is the only way to close the gap between Strategic Intent and Operational Reality.
