Building a High Performance Leadership Team

Why is it that we expect amazing results from a team of some great and some mediocre people? As leaders (and as the CEO, THE leader), this just does not make sense. Why do we expect these amazing results when we know deep down that with the team we have, it is just not realistic? 

I think it’s because we know that fixing the people is harder than fixing the problems with the systems, the strategy and cash. So, we focus on the problems we can solve rather than the problems we can’t. It is just human nature to focus on the things we think we can fix. I want to challenge that thinking, if we don’t fix the team, we might as well not bother fixing anything else!

Why the Key Process Flow Map is critical to your strategic execution.

One of the tools I have used with my clients for the last few years is the Key Function Flow Map (from “The 3HAG Way”). It is quite a simple tool but most people don’t realise how powerful it is. It is fundamental to achieving what you want from your business. To many people it looks like a trivial process flow map and, in its simplest form that is exactly what it is. But it can very easily very much more: it can be the map of your business, of the problems in your business and, very importantly, how money gets into your company bank account.

Killing Job Descriptions! - By Building Great Function Scorecards.

I dislike job descriptions even more than I dislike Business Plans. These two documents have caused more problems in business than any others. Business Plans, because they never really map out how a business will grow with any confidence; they are full of false assumptions on “hockey stick” growth and mostly live on a shelf gathering dust from the day they are printed. Job descriptions; because although they might tell you what someone has to do, they rarely encourage accountability by describing the expected outcomes of a role. To me, businesses employ people to achieve outcomes not to list the tasks they must do.

First BHAG™, then 3HAG. 

More Goals? Yes, more Goals!

If you thought that this article title sounded like a chapter title from one of Jim Collins' books then you would be right, that was very much my intent.

Jim Collins revolutionised how we think about business and introduced the concept of the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (a BHAG™) in his 1994 book "Built to Last". Jim described a BHAG™as "a clear and compelling goal that serves as a unifying focal point of effort - often creating immense team spirit". A company's BHAG™ should be inspiring, long term, almost unachievable and yet inspire the team to greatness.

How to find your "whitespace".

When I work on Strategy with my clients I ask the question: "Are you competing to be the best?". The answer is nearly always "Yes, of course, why would we be in business if we didn't want to be the best?" or something similar. My answer to them is if you try to be the best at everything you become the best at nothing, you are invariably better off being UNIQUE!

How to Identify your Differentiators.

Competitive Strategy is all about being different, and being different requires you to deliberately choose a different set of activities to deliver a unique mix of value to your core customers. Shannon Susko released her 2018 book "The 3HAG Way" in which she outlined a simple approach to identify your differentiators. This article takes you briefly through this approach.

The Seven Systems of Metronomics.

People who gravitate to Metronomics (and there are many) often ask about the “Systems” in Metronomics. The question normally comes either after they have finished the book or, if they are working with a Metronomics CEO+Leadership Team Coach, during the second or third quarter in the process.

How to Run your Daily Huddles.

"Routine Sets you Free" - This is so true. In my work with my clients, I can't emphasis enough the importance of meeting rhythms, particularly the daily meeting we call the "Huddle". Huddles are a great way of synchronising a team so that everyone knows what is going on, how your are tracking towards your key targets and what might be stopping you from getting there (or slowing you down).