My experience has taught me that you have two ways to approach the job at hand. The first is to keep your counsel or seek the guidance of paid advisors such as accountants and attorneys. The latter’s advice is limited in part to their narrow field and on keeping you as a client. But when you keep your own counsel you run a risk that what sounds good in your head may not turn out as well in execution.
A second option is to seek an experienced independent advisor, someone who will help you look at the angles you missed and give an unvarnished opinion. For years I walked the floors alone at night because I didn’t know any better.
Here are my thoughts on leadership, accountability and results.
Achieving corporate goals really boils down to a two-part process – planning and execution. Each segment is contingent upon the other; without a sound business plan, your ability to put it into action will be irrelevant and with a sound business plan, your inability to execute will render it useless.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it!” Peter Drucker’s perspective is applicable whether you are making plans for life or for business. Through a series of short- and long-term goals, you will create a framework that leads to success.
“People buy into the Leader, before they buy into the vision.” -John Maxwell Why do your people need to buy in to you first? Like driving a car, I can’t commit to going the distance if the car is poorly maintained and out of gas. Most people want to be led, because the alternative is too hard. Let’s face it,…
Every leader has particular issues they need to work on. My job is to find out what leadership qualities they have and where they need to improve. I assess whether those are the real issues or the symptoms of something else. The process is fairly straightforward. I use the APE2 model to assess: ASSESS. Where are we now? (e.g., opportunity,…
Early in my career I served in the military, and I was fortunate to be in the storied 101st Airborne Division. That’s where I learned a lesson or two in leadership traits. They are still useful in my business career. One simple story illustrates the importance of modeling behavior you expect. When I was on active duty we obviously spent…