Willie Pietersen’s Post

An executive at one of my recent clients expressed how overwhelmed they felt. I asked about the organization's priorities, and my client defeatedly said, "Everything is a priority." To borrow a film title - "Everything. Everywhere. All at Once." Does that resonate for you? From Willie Pietersen's article on this topic: "In 2011, groundbreaking research by Nelson Cowan, a professor of psychology at the University of Missouri into what he called “working memory,” showed conclusively that five priorities is the wrong number. He found that people can follow a maximum of four things, sometimes fewer. More than four eliminates focus completely." Research shows that more than four priorities is too many. FOUR! Having too many priorities inhibits leadership alignment and advocacy. It exacerbates the feeling of overwhelm. It forces employees to address "all the things" now with efforts that end up being a mile wide and an inch deep. It robs the organization of any capacity to address unforeseen events. It steals time away from strategic, long-term thinking. Frustration ensues. We fan the flames of burnout. The worst part is that all of that activity really has no sustainable impact on business performance. What other sources of overwhelm have you seen or experienced? #strategy #priorities #executiveleasdership #leadershipdevelopment

8 objectives used to be the norm for most execs. And their teams suffered the consequences. Today I agree with Willie Pietersen. If executives narrowed their focus to. 2 or 3 priorities a lot of organizational problems would be resolved - engagement, clarity of direction, ability to prioritize and mental well being as a result.

Staying ahead in today’s evolving business world requires you to understand industry shifts, embrace new technologies, and remain agile. Discover how strategic adaptability can create a thriving, dynamic workplace: https://hubs.la/Q02JmtCj0 #leadership #businessgrowth #careerdevelopment

I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of the new book "Big Bet Leadership" by John Rossman and Kevin McCaffrey. This book provides organizations and executives with a playbook for wining at Big Bets. We all know that real change is hard to come by, but the courageous, forward-thinking executive recognizes that small growth or small changes leaves his/her firm exposed to more aggressive, big bet competitors. I encourage everyone in my Linkedin network to read this book, so as to better their approach to placing and winning Big Bets. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e35WmAsm #executiveleadership #changeleadership #changemanagement #leadershipprinciples #executiveeducation #executivecoaching

Staying ahead in today’s evolving business world requires you to understand industry shifts, embrace new technologies, and remain agile. Discover how strategic adaptability can create a thriving, dynamic workplace: https://hubs.la/Q02JmsFr0 #leadership #businessgrowth #careerdevelopment

What factors are blocking you or your team leaders from making quality decisions efficiently? "Almost 20% of any executive’s time can be wasted due to ineffective decision-making," writes Bryan Whitefield for Fast Company. #business #leadership #decisionmaking

In today’s fast-paced business environment, employees throughout the organisation are expected to make decisions and undertake actions that contribute to the strategy of the company. To be ‘strategic’. But finding the link between the strategy and your daily work is often difficult and, as stated by David Lancefield in this article for Harvard Business Review, “strategies are notoriously hard to design and deliver”. Rather famously, it has been found that as many as 90% of strategic plans are never fully implemented and 48% of organisations fail to reach at least half of their strategic targets. While organisational barriers exist, in this article Lancefield puts forward six ways individuals can strengthen this link: ✅️ Identify the actions that matter - When listing actions to take (in a week or month), think how your team’s strategy contributes to the company strategy, and which actions will be best to deliver successfully. 🎯 Focus on the most important problems - Consider which problems have the biggest impact on your strategy and focus on them first. 🤔 Explore the choices you face - Explore all the choices you have available to address each problem and consider which contributes the most to the strategy. 🫡 Master the capabilities required - Consider the personal skills, capabilities, and mindset you need to make and deliver on your choices. ↕️ Create alignment between elements of the strategy - Think about how the individual strategic choices you (and your team) make and how this best relates to the strategy of the company. 😮💨 Assemble the resources you need - Ensure that you have the mental disposition and organisational support (such as relationships and resources) to deliver on your choices. Read the full article here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ehvFnhJ4 #strategy #leadership #strategyimplementation Vlerick Business School Carine Peeters Martin Weiss Kurt Verweire Esha Mendiratta Kerstin Fehre Brett Hamilton Robyn Hanssens (she/her)

While some organizations create strategies that sound great and idealistic, they often miss considering the ever-changing market environment. And without this crucial component, the strategies can lack a firm grounding in reality. 🌏 Strategies need to be rooted in reality, to be dynamic, and to adapt to the ever-changing market conditions. 🌋 This company stays real by aligning its strategies with the shifting environment. Unsurprisingly, they place a massive emphasis on agility and innovation. 💡 These strategies might not mirror what your organization is about, but they serve as a thought-provoking reminder — a call for all leaders to pause and reflect on how to align their strategies to respond to the sometimes rapidly changing needs around them effectively.  🤔 https://lnkd.in/ghn38wyP #leadership #strategy #innovation #adaptability

Unlock Your Business's Potential with Dr. Tony Jose: Master Visionary Leadership for Unparalleled Success In the rapidly evolving business landscape, achieving unparalleled growth and success requires more than just traditional management practices. Dr. Tony Jose is your guide to mastering visionary thinking, effective decision-making, and fostering a culture of innovation that propels your business to new heights. Dr. Tony Jose, a renowned expert in business strategy and leadership, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you unlock your business’s full potential. His approach emphasizes the importance of visionary thinking—looking beyond the present to anticipate future trends and opportunities. By cultivating this forward-thinking mindset, you can steer your business towards sustained success and adaptability in an ever-changing market. Effective decision-making is at the core of Dr. Tony Jose’s teachings. In a world where businesses are inundated with data and choices, the ability to make informed, strategic decisions is crucial. Dr. Tony Jose provides the tools and frameworks necessary to analyze situations critically, weigh options, and make decisions that align with your long-term goals. This ensures that every move you make is calculated and contributes to your business's growth. Innovation is the driving force behind any successful enterprise. Dr. Tony Jose advocates for fostering a culture of innovation within your organization. By encouraging creativity, collaboration, and a willingness to take risks, you can create an environment where groundbreaking ideas thrive. This culture not only enhances your competitive edge but also attracts top talent who are eager to be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team. Join the ranks of successful leaders who have transformed their businesses with Dr. Tony Jose’s guidance. Unleash your business’s potential and achieve the growth and success you’ve always envisioned. With Dr. Tony Jose, you’ll master the skills needed for business mastery and leadership excellence. #BusinessMastery #LeadershipExcellence #DrTonyJose #UnlockSuccess

Navigating leadership transitions can be daunting for any legacy leader. In his most recent article, "Future-Proof Your Business: The Critical Role of an XO in Leadership Transitions," Ronald Martin sheds light on the pivotal role of a Fractional XO in this process. Here are three key takeaways from the article: Seamless Continuity: A Fractional XO ensures smooth daily operations during leadership transitions, acting as a stabilizing force. Future CEO Development: By mentoring and training potential leaders, the XO helps prepare your company for a successful future. Long-Term Success: The XO focuses on building an autonomous and resilient business structure that can thrive beyond the founder's active involvement. For leaders considering their next steps or aiming to strengthen their organizational foundation, this insightful article is a valuable resource. https://lnkd.in/dQDVxaiE