Leading at the Right Level

It’s lonely at the top, but as a leader that is where you belong.  The best leaders resist the temptation to assume the responsibilities of their staff.  The temptation exists either because they do not have confidence in their team or they are more confident in that role.  The problem with this behavior is that […]

The Single Point of Accountability

Assigning actions and following up is a key activity in the role of leadership.  It doesn’t require great skill beyond the commitment to do it.  One simple step that makes it easier is the concept of a single point of accountability.  It simply means, never assign responsibility for one task to two people, and remember […]

The Power of Recognition

Follow-up is one of the most critical aspects of a great leader.  Change usually requires changing people’s behavior.  And changes in behavior are not natural for us, so leaders need to follow up.  Actions are the fuel for making real change. Someone usually has to act. And actions don’t always get done, so leaders need […]

Direct and Binary Communication

People are the resource in most organizations that help material and information flow.  They are the often the source of information and the recipient of information that keeps the operations moving and producing. The form of that information is best relayed with two critical characteristics; direct and binary. Direct Communication Direct communication is best described […]

People are the Linchpin for the System

A tractor is the workhorse of the modern day farm.  Ploughing the field, harvesting the grain, or bailing the hay are all done with a tractor pulling a tool specifically designed for the task.  And the tool is connected to the tractor using a pin, often called the linchpin. In a world of Operational Excellence, […]

Who Will Do What by When?

  Unlocking the value in your organization requires accountability at all levels. Like in the National Football League, everyone must do his/her job. As problems are identified, actions need to be assigned and completed. There are three critical questions that make accountability for these actions far more robust: who will do what by when? Who […]

Five Whys – Not One Who

  Unlocking the value in an operation requires people. They are the only resource in an organization that can solve problems. There are two specific reasons that it’s necessary to focus problem solving on why a problem occurred rather then who had the problem. Engagement begins with why, and your problem is not a who. […]