Leadership is often judged by grand visions and strategies. Handsome slides, bold goals, and catchy speeches.
The truth is, however, that no vision will move you forward even a meter if your execution is lacking. It's like buying a gym membership and just opening the locker room door. It seems like there's work to be done, but no results.
Execution, especially in the leadership team, is where words turn – or remain unchanged – into actions.
So what is executive function?
Components of an individual's executive functions (good content on their development can be found especially in child-rearing literature):
- Working memory & workload
- Self-regulation
- Flexibility
- Planning & organizational skills
- Focus
- Problem-solving & decision-making skills
Components of the group's executive ability (including):
- Psychological safety
- Common direction / shared inspiring goal
- Permissive and inspiring culture
- Game rules and processes (monitoring!)
- Roles and responsibilities (including delegation)
In addition, both the individual and the group must take care of their own energy levels – adequate rest, recovery, good food, exercise…
After all, successful management team work only requires getting these things in order.
However, you don't have to do it alone. The breathtaking list above is a description of a perfect world, and if you have achieved it, congratulations! However, if you feel that there is room for improvement in some area, it is worth asking for help. Implementing change requires an organization to work together towards a goal, a shared willingness to make the effort, and the ability to deal with problems as they arise.
We at MTTC support our clients in strengthening their executive capabilities at the management team, supervisor and employee levels by bringing energy, systematicity, enthusiasm, determination and new ways of thinking into people's everyday lives.
