Organizations typically hire for skills and knowledge, then fire and promote on the basis of attitudes and habits. After a person is terminated, the process repeats by hiring another candidate with the right skills and knowledge. Are skills and knowledge needed for job success? Of course! Yet, how many times have we seen skillful, knowledgeable people fail to fit with their new job or organization?
The Execution Box graphic gives us an illustrated model and explanation for execution shortfalls. When most organizations attempt to improve performance, they spend time and money both seeking and developing skills and knowledge (left side of the model below). However failures and terminations typically result from factors on the right side of the model: Attitudes and Habits. For committed execution of goals that support your strategy, you need people to WANT TO. This applies both to large organizations, teams, and to individuals.
Most organizations focus their attention and resources on the left half of the diagram. They seek to recruit and enhance skills and knowledge. Does it make a difference? Sometimes. Yet we often struggle to make a business case for training and development. How do we gain return on our investment of resources when measurable, tangible results are often elusive. What if we broadened our focus to consider the Doing Side of the box?
Most shortfalls, failures and terminations result from deficiencies in the right side of The Execution Box. Despite the fact that we know, we don’t always do: Unless our attitudes and habits are developed, we struggle to close the execution gap. Consider the typical shortfalls:
Can these be attributed more to lack of knowledge or lack of execution? Are knowledge and skills of your workforce critical to success? Of course! But, what are we doing to address the real cause of the typical shortfalls? When it comes to developing productive attitudes and habits, most managers don’t know what they don’t know. Performance and execution suffer and everyone wonders: How do we change this? All too often, we restart the same cycle. We fire, recruit, hire and ramp-up new people while hoping their attitudes and habits will improve. Shouldn’t we do more than hope?
Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.
Effective leadership is the key to driving meaningful, lasting success in a fast-changing world.
Tom’s focus on innovative strategies and self-awareness creates transformative results for leaders striving for the next level.
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