Good times can tolerate good leaders, but troublesome times need great ones.
We are in the midst of economic uncertainty that few in charge today have ever experienced. As such, all sorts of organizations and businesses are in turmoil. The demand for strong leadership is paramount. The reality is that many are good, but few are truly great enough to lead their firms through these times.
Great leaders are those who recognize and meet the strategic needs of the firm. That means being responsive, reactive, and revolutionary in the appropriate measures.
Planning, preparing, and positioning the firm's capabilities will ensure it's sustainability through the ups and downs of competition, economic crisis, talent shortages, and other controllable and non-controllable circumstances.
Here areThe 4 Important Mandates for Today's CEO Challenge:- Set the Rules of Engagement Style and personality play a key role here; however, the ultimate goal is to establish your expectations for the team and individual contributors. You need to reemphasize the values of the company and zero tolerance for ignoring or violating them. Decisions must be based on sound principles and parameters. Behavior must be rewarded or reprimanded appropriately.
Accountability and performance must be enforced in order to manage the steps to achieve the mission and objectives of the organization. Profits without guiding principles are a sure way to get distracted or derailed. Emphasizing the rules of engagement and operation are critical, especially during times of compromise and confusion. - Plan for Obstacles Be prepared for resistance at any/all levels inside and outside the enterprise. You'll witness behind-your-back comments and outright sabotage undermining your efforts. There will be both cautious optimism and skeptic cynicism expressed, largely dependent upon the circumstances the company is facing.
Regardless, you simply need to move step-by-step based on your ability to gain trust. Trust is earned through consistency and demonstration of your guiding values. You have seen giants fall, rules change, and a lot of fundamental truths challenged; however, the surest dimension of executive leadership is remaining vigilant and adaptive to ever-changing situations. - Keep the BEST, Circulate the RestThis is a quotation from Keeping the Very BEST (available at www.REACHdevelopment.com). Life is too short to have insubordinate, undependable, losers with bad attitudes on board. The time spent trying to bring them around would be better spent, and more pleasurable, on those who are the Brightest, most Enthusiastic, Standard-bearers, with Talent. Identify those employees who are willing, able, and demonstrate their abilities to contribute to the success of the firm. While often "high-maintenance," the ROI with top talent is far better than the mediocre. See that they receive the attention, training, and recognition to ensure they're challenged and committed to the firm's goals.
You have employees who no longer fit the culture necessary to move the team forward. Wish them well, but send them on to a better life – elsewhere. - Strategize to Reduce Surprise There is nothing more fundamental to leadership success than establishing goals and providing direction. A well thought out strategic plan paves the way for a solid map that eliminates confusion. One of the greatest challenges in the whole strategic planning process is not in thinking big, but in asking "What IF?" What if regulations change, competition changes, technology shifts, the economy changes, funding shifts, etc. etc. While not pleasant thoughts, recent history shows us anticipation of change to be one of the most practical considerations.
Strategic plans are not fixed roadmaps. They need to be monitored, measured, and modified to ensure their relevancy. Above all they cannot be developed and ignored or their effectiveness, and yours, will be significantly questioned.
While fundamental advice for all CEOs, it is especially important to one who needs to reassert, redirect, and reenergize an organization that has become stalled or is facing increasing difficulties.
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