accountability is key in execution.
be a triad awareness; inward focus, a focus on others, and an outward focus. It is also important to act, assess, and adjust as necessary. You must be able to
As an educational leader and as an entrepreneur,
measure progress throughout the execution phase.
I commit to completing a Peak Performance Plan
Execution requires a continuous process of reflection,
(PPP). The PPP allows me a clear path to continue
analysis, and planning.
leading, inspiring, and engaging my team. One of my favorite leadership books is Execution: The Discipline
The process of executing is quite simple using the
of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram
Think Plan Do methodology. As Jim Collins states
Charan. Bossidy and Charan contend “if you don’t
in his book Good to Great, “Ready, Aim Fire! In the
know how to execute, the whole of your effort as a
thinking phase (Ready), your ideas must develop
leader will always be less than the sum of its parts.”
into growth strategies. The planning phase (Aim) is
Execution is truly a discipline. The authors go on
getting the idea from conception to execution. All
to say that the heart of execution lies in three core
involved must be aligned. Accountability is most
processes: the people process, the strategy process,
important in this phase. In the do phase (Fire), it is
and the operations process. In this three core process
about action; getting it done. You think about and
to fully execute, you as a leader must identify and
plan for the work, but until you actually do the work,
continue to develop other leaders, set the strategic
execution has not taken place.
direction, and be actively and intimately involved in the process. You cannot execute if you are employing
Executing calls for a strategic mindset and the
the “hands-off ” approach.
leadership ability to perform and implement. Hold your team accountable and set clear expectations.
In Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done
After you have generated the idea and made your
building blocks of execution are identified:
plans, it is time to execute!
• Know your people and your business
“Leaders have three fundamental responsibilities:
• Insist of realism
They craft a vision, they build alignment, and they
• Set clear goals and priorities
champion execution.” Anonymous
• Follow through • Reward the doers • Expand people’s capabilities • Know yourself In order to execute, you must have focus. There must
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