Episode 39 Execution is a critical skill – Four ways to improve your skills without working longer hours with Jeremy Gray

Without execution, 'vision' is just another word for hallucination. Mark Hurd

Working longer hours in not a practical solution for most of us. Here are four sustainable ways to improve your execution skills. ​ Be clear and methodical Avoid the temptation to jump into activities and get started before you get organized, create a plan, or make sure what you are doing is aligned with the company strategy Instead organize people, assemble your resources, then generate a plan. The plan should be one that people can commit to, without there will be poor or no execution Make it clear who is doing what. When people are collectively responsible no one is responsible Understand how your plan aligns with company’s strategy Set goals and deadlines Goals help a team achieve their objectives and encourages engagements – milestones help to measure progress and celebrate wins. Pair goals with deadlines – our behavior changes when faced with deadlines. Goals and objectives give you a head start on meeting our objectives Ask what it would take to complete this project two weeks earlier. But too not push too hard – this can erode trust Provide feedback – especially positive feedback Positive feedback provides motivation and motivation improves execution. Become skilled at giving feedback Concentrate on the behavior not the person – describe the behavior, how you feel about it and what you want to have happen Use the sandwich approach – comment on positives, before the negatives and end with a positive Be specific – use examples to illustrate your point Be realistic – focus on what can be changed Own the feedback – use I rather than they or one. Feedback is your opinion Be timely. Be prepared Offer support Give recognition Resolve conflict and build team unity Identify and resolve conflicts within the team Problems arise from differences of opinion. Eliminate where possible conflicting objectives, if these cannot be eliminated then ensure they are recognized. Encourage positive conflict not destructive and personal conflict More ways to improve execution: Focus on what is most important. When it comes to execution complexity kills Clearly state the priorities – Avoid vague terms such as best in the industry. Avoid buzz words – sustainable, agile etc. Describe the steppingstones to success Identify your critical vulnerable – elements that must be implemented to achieve success yet are the most likely to fail If I was a competitor, how would I attack my company? Tie the project to a vision of the futures 3 to 5 years from now.