Michael K. Simpson

Becoming a Great Leader.

How do you become a great leader? It’s not about being the top dog in management or
commanding the highest post in the corporate echelon, but more about engaging with and
empowering the people around you, said Michael Simpson, Senior Consultant and Executive Coach for the Franklin Covey Group Leadership and Execution Practice.

Why effective strategy
execution matters now more than ever.

The recent economic downturn has challenged executives with the dual imperatives of short-term survival and long-term sustainability. When pressed by demands to cut costs
and increase efficiency, many leaders scrambled to revise strategies, reduce headcount, categorically cut budgets, or simply changed their stated priorities and hoped for better results. Many overlooked the power of talent inside their… Show more

Why effective strategy
execution matters now more than ever.

The recent economic downturn has challenged executives with the dual imperatives of short-term survival and long-term sustainability. When pressed by demands to cut costs
and increase efficiency, many leaders scrambled to revise strategies, reduce headcount, categorically cut budgets, or simply changed their stated priorities and hoped for better results. Many overlooked the power of talent inside their organizations.
That could be a big mistake.
Uncertain economic realities only increase the need for consistent and dependable strategy execution. Successful leaders recognize that a more effective and sustainable approach lies in narrowing their focus to what is most important. They enhance their ability to execute on a few critical goals by instilling basic behaviors and disciplines into their organizations that will unleash the talent inherent in their workforce.
Consider, for instance, the case of a large IT out-sourcing firm which had failed repeatedly
to achieve key goals. It had communicated an impossibly large agenda of 20 strategic objectives to its divisions. Without clear priorities, employees spent their time putting
out daily fires.

Execution-focused leadership fuses a system of execution with a principled, participative decision-making style that unleashes employee talent, inspires trust and motivation, and consistently delivers remarkable results.
The 4 Disciplines of Execution™ are straightforward.
• Focus on a few critically important goals.
• Act on the lead measures that impact goal achievement.
• Measure success and motivate employees through visible, compelling scoreboards.
• Hold one another accountable through a weekly “cadence” of accountability.
The disciplines sound simple, and yet the results of embedding them in the organizational culture are powerful. Consistent, focused execution is a leadership capability that is
fundamental to the success of every organization and leader. Show less