A Tale of Intention v. Execution…
Here at Forty Weeks, we spend a lot of time in “Strategy Session”. In fact, it is where I feel most invigorated and capable of helping my clients reach their objectives. Great strategy is good – and flawless execution is even better.
As I am known to often remind my clients, team, friends oh let’s just go with anyone within earshot, strategy and tactic are so very different. To put it differently, but in a way that echoes as resonates with such bellowing clarity this week – intention has little to do with execution. And execution, no matter how you spin it, is what you will be remembered for.
What do I mean? What is my warning? Read on…
In the isolation of a conference room – filled with like-minded and like-aspiring souls (here with an agreed upon objective) there is group think at play – an enabling force that changes everything. Here, ideas get big, exciting, juicy - and this all happens at the speed of light. The pace is fast and the passion is sky high. Here, the complex seems easy (that is the passion speaking) and the intricate details seem simple. It is work -place adrenaline at play. And why not?? When you have such deep-seeded, authentic commitment to something (and ideal, a goal) – this is how one should feel. It is this energy that brings us to an intoxicated place where the concepts flow and the otherwise obvious limitations or even walls become near invisible. Here in the swirling creative moment of ideation big roadblocks or even common-sense considerations disappear into the vapor.
And it is here, at this moment when rational thinking – logic and reason are needed the most. Not to bring anyone down, not be a buzz kill, not to damage spirits or egos. But rather to preserve the original goal and intention. And avoid the damage that is so much greater than the potential gain of the program in play.
I can be more specific still…
If you set out to empower, promote or serve women then you need to focus squarely on just that. Your entire agenda must be women-centric and authentic. You must embrace all women not just a few. If you want to advance the ball – you can’t do your own version of climbing, clawing, dismissing and using in the name of the intention. No, that does not work. In fact it will back-fire - hitting you hard and reminding you that there is really no end that justifies the means, especially not when you are smack in the middle of the most transparent age of transaction we will ever experience. The whole world is watching – 2012 style. And you are going have to be mindful and careful – especially where women are concerned.
So next time your ego, your group think and/or your great intentions seem too good to be true (or possible) - slow down, bring in clear heads and new voices, ask the questions differently and listen to the answers. There are ways to do solve this riddles – always. The answer (and the danger) lies in the execution.
February 20th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
Well, Julia. You raise alot of good points here. Defining objective and agreeing on strategy is key. But execution is where the rubber hits the road. But sometimes execution outruns strategy – ie we let an idea snowball at a pace where we are no longer operating against the core objective. And when that happens? It all goes haywire: trying to do too many things at once, critical paths go out the window, partners become disenfranchised – and really? Sometimes you don’t even know how off track you’ve gotten until you try to execute the same idea next year… and nobody wants to work with you.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:16 am
While this good advice could be applied to many many situations, I’m guessing you wrote with one particular recent one in mind.
Here’s the thing: going into a situation assuming that you’re going to be used makes you into a bitter, suspicious person. But on the other hand, if the people involved had checked around, they would’ve heard the same cautionary tale time and time again. Oh, how I wish they’d asked me, I wouldn’t have minced words!