To Resolve
"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." William Shakespeare
Happy New Year! I hope your holiday was restful, peaceful, and wonderful. With the new year upon us many have formed a resolution - a new year's resolution to guide them for at least the next 12 months. In true Rob Campbell Leadership fashion, let's unpack the resolution. To resolve, according to Oxford languages is to decide firmly on a course of action. Many people begin the new year resolved to do better at or begin something they believe will benefit them. Why not? It's a new year - a fresh start; a chance to start over on a better path. Unfortunately few follow through.
Indeed, I'm guilty of forming new year's resolutions which exist only in a sentence, soon to be ignored and forgotten. I've moved to a single word such as write or grow to guide me under something I know I can commit to. In 2023 I wrote. I finished the manuscript to my 3rd book on leading under crisis. Stay tuned! This year my word is heal. I'm experiencing the after affects of a motorcycle accident and, with the help of medical professionals, I'm going to get healthier.
Organizations can, and often should, form new year's resolutions. Again, why not? It's a fresh year - a fresh set of fiscal quarters and a good time to resolve. However, to do so takes more than a bold word or sentence. It takes disciplined execution. I teach a course on this because I've seen too many organizations say something and mean it, yet fail to execute. Below are the elements of RC Leadership's Disciplined Execution.
Guidance. Intent from leadership to serve as the founding guidance and beacon for all to follow. This guidance must be heeded and championed by all.
A Plan. This includes specific directives and tasks to individuals - the 5 W's.
Structure. This looks like an organizational chart specific to this effort. Who leads the effort? Who reports to them and do they have authority to drive execution?
Resources. Money, time, consultant assistance, etc.
Operations. These are events such as kickoffs, or periods or phases where everyone is focused on driving execution specific to this effort.
Compliance. Compliance means reports, surveys, and the like which determine if guidance is being met and tasks completed.
Measures of Effectiveness (MOE). Very important. This gets beyond, "did we do what we said we were going to do?" It asks and answers, "did we achieve the effects we desired to achieve?" Don't get MOE confused with performance measures (MOP) which only measure a task completed.
Well wishes for a happy and prosperous new year. Resolutions are good things. Choose them wisely but know you must get beyond an inspiring sentence. Be disciplined in your execution!
Make is Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell