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4 Observations That Could Be Signaling Flaws With Organization Structure
Have you ever sensed that your organization was not executing like it once had? That something is just not right but you can’t put your finger on it? Recently, I collaborated with a client who was trying to understand why his team was not executing at the level it once had. I suggested that we reflect on what had changed since the team was executing at a high-level. We identified several things; more customers and employees, key initiatives were taking longer to advance, and a noticeable deterioration in morale to name a few. Further discussions led us to the realization that the flow of information and decision-making was not as seamless as it once was. Consequently, we recognized the need to delve deeper and uncover the reasons behind the changes. Explore my newest Fundamental Focus article delving into the intricacies of how a dynamic strategy and organizational structure may gradually develop vulnerabilities over time.
Book Review: Atomic Habits
A friend of mine turned me on to a book called Atomic Habit (thanks mate!). I read a lot of books and listen to a lot of podcasts, I really connected with this one. Developing good habits and eliminating bad ones is very difficult. The books author, James Clear, experienced a traumatic baseball injury that required him to relearn basic life skills. That is what inspired him to dedicate his career to understanding the human behavior associated with habits. He explains it from a scientific perspective (the why), as well as providing practical guidance (the how) that makes it easy to grasp. I am frequently asked for reading recommendations – this is a good one!
The Little Things That Have a Big Impact
I recently had a client express concern about her inability to get to things she knows are really important. Despite her best intentions she frequently found herself consumed by busy work and a busy schedule that cause her to come up short. A challenge many leaders face. They are often in the form of “little things”, as I call them, that we know are important to develop a high-performing organization. So why are the little things so difficult to execute? Shouldn’t “little” be easier? In the real world we become consumed by our busy environment, and when capacity gets tight it is often the little things that get pushed aside. Checking out the article for the 5 “little things” that will elevate your to the next level. normal distribution of letters. making it look like readable English.
How Are You Investing Your Leadership Capital?
Do you sometimes find your self being consumed by busy work? Or a runaway schedule that keeps you from spending time on high-impact leadership activities? Activities that you know will move the performance needle, but you just can’t get too? If you have been following my content over the years, I’m sure you’ve picked up on a common theme – one of the biggest leadership challenges is making time to reinforce fundamentals.
When It Comes to Your Talent, Don’t Assume Anything!
I think most leaders would agree that finding and retaining talent is one of their biggest challenges. Those special employees that are driven, resourceful, creative, and committed to a common purpose are really hard to come by. Further, building a talented team takes a great deal of time, effort, and patience to develop the right combination of skill, experience, and culture fit.
Why is Executing Strategy so Hard?
Is there anything more satisfying than experiencing your team take ownership of a plan and successfully execute it? The essence of leadership pride! Unfortunately, more often than not strategic plans either fail to meet expectations, or worse yet, they fade into oblivion.
How Do You Identify Your Leadership Blind Spots?
I am sure you have heard the 70’s Johnny Nash song: “I can see clearly now……I can see all obstacles in my way”. As leaders we are always striving to understand the landscape and clear the way for flawless execution. A broad understanding of situation dynamics is so important…
Are You Asking the Right Questions?
An all too common leadership challenge is falling prey to the strong magnetic forces of busy work. It happens to all of us. Our day starts out with good intentions, and before we know it, we are whisked away on the rails of chaos and the day is gone. When that happens, it is easy to become disconnected from the team…
Are You Paying Attention?
We have so many distractions and priorities that compete for our attention. It really is difficult to quiet the noise and be present in a conversation and genuinely listen. Listening may be more difficult than ever, but it is no less important. As leaders we rely on listening to identify opportunities, issues, and matters that need our attention.
Is Execution Not Meeting Expectations?
One of the most challenging leadership responsibilities is aligning the team and organization in a way that drives progress. Developing ideas, strategies, and concepts is the easier part – execution is where things tend to bog down.
5 Ways to Develop Leadership Fundamentals in a Busy Workplace
It is more challenging than ever for leaders to develop and reinforce sound fundamentals and dedicate time to improving their skills. Faced with hyper-communication, rapid innovation, and heightened expectations even the best of intentions can get derailed.
Leading To A New Normal
What happened to our normal? In a matter of a few short weeks the Covid-19 pandemic has transformed our lives, both personally and professionally. It has certainly rocked our “normal”. The suddenness and broad impact of the event has a way of skewing our perspective of time.
Restoring the Cultural Connection in the Workplace
When we started this unprecedented journey of social distancing it was kind of a workplace adventure; an opportunity to work a flexible schedule, avoid the long and frustrating commute…
Struggling with Decision-making?
As we approach the halfway point of 2020, we can’t help but reflect on how challenging this year has been. The ground has significantly shifted beneath us and disturbed the structure, continuity, and control that is so necessary for us to function naturally.
Need An Attitude Adjustment? Let’s Rock & Roll!
We all know how important it is to remain positive in these challenging times. But it is a whole lot easier said than done, right? Based on recent interactions with clients and others it is quite clear that maintaining a positive attitude is difficult these days.