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Practical tactical tips leaders leverage for making good decisions

I listened intently as our leader spoke. He was letting us know about the big decision. He made it without consulting anyone. This leader claimed that everyone in the organization would agree. In fact, it was a bad move. Our leader was on the road to ruin. Fast forward a year and things were not good. His bad decision derailed the entire organization. Our leader made a classic mistake and paid the price. He did not know the practical tactical tips leaders leverage to make good decisions.

Practical tactical tips for making good decisions

All The Way Leadership! believes that strong leaders know how to make good decisions. They usually make good decisions for their teams. It is important that leaders ask insightful questions about the best way to make good decisions. In this post, I share some practical tactical tips (PTTs) for how to make good decisions based on experience. Simple advice for new leaders to follow.

Practical tactical tips can help you avoid making bad decisions.

Practical Tactical Tip (PTT) #1 – Choose the best method for making group decisions

Many times a group of leaders will make an important decision together. In this scenario, the group should choose the best method for making the decision as early as possible in the process. There is a big difference between a general consensus decision, a majority vote, and a unanimous decision. Making unanimous decisions is the most challenging. You want diverse opinions and views for big decisions which may lead to disagreement about the best path forward.

Voting is one method for making a decision.

PTT#2 – The bigger the decision the more voices needed

Big decisions are usually hard to make. The reason is that you do not want to blow it. Therefore, it is practical for a leader to confer with others when making a big decision. The bigger the decision the more voices you need at the table. You should avoid making mega-decisions on your own, or with just a few advisors. Indeed, sometimes you have to due to time pressures. But, you should aim to get as much input as possible whenever you are making a big decision as a leader.

Include many voices when making big decisions.

PTT#3 – Not making a decision is making a decision

No one likes indecisive leaders. They drive their teams crazy by taking forever to make decisions. Worse yet, they don’t ever make a decision. The reality is that if you avoid deciding you are actually making a decision. You are letting down your team, and putting your fate in the hands of others. Avoid this scenario at all costs. People don’t like working for leaders who cannot make timely decisions.

Working for an indecisive leader is frustrating.

Remember – Consensus is usually sufficient

One final reminder. Remember that consensus is usually sufficient for most decisions. It is rare that you will get everyone to agree on the best path forward, especially for big decisions. Consensus building requires time and energy, but it is well worth the investment, and much easier than making unanimous decisions.

Consensus doesn’t happen by magic… You have to drive to it.
Christine Quinn

ATW! is designed to make you a better leader

I hope you join me on this journey to raise up the next generation of leaders. The world is in desperate need of more great leaders. Women and men who lead with confidence, clarity, and creativity. It’s time to become the leader that your world needs. Let’s go All The Way!

All The Way Leadership!

Insightful questions strong leaders ask to make good decisions

We were in crisis management mode. I briefed the leader and her team about the situation, the options available, and our recommendation. After the briefing, she asked her leadership team for their thoughts. Most of them concurred. “How long do I have to make this decision?” she asked. We need a decision now. She approved the recommendation and we moved into execution mode. The crisis was averted. This leader was well prepared to handle this situation because she always asked insightful questions when making decisions.

Strong leaders ask insightful questions when making decisions.

I believe that all leaders want to make good decisions

All The Way Leadership! believes that strong leaders know how to make good decisions. They usually make good decisions for their teams. Based on my experience it is because strong leaders ask good questions. Below you will find four insightful questions (IQs) that strong leaders ask before making a decision.

IQ#1- How long do you have to make the decision?

This question is crucially important for any leader to consider. You only get so much time to make decisions. There is a big difference between having a few minutes, several hours, a day, a week, a month, or even longer. Make sure you understand how long you have so that you spend the time wisely. If the deadline is tight move quickly. If you have plenty of time don’t squander it and have to make a last-minute decision because you procrastinated.

Use your time wisely when making decisions

Strong leaders make timely and informed decisions

Strong leaders make the most of the time they have when making decisions. They move quickly when necessary. They take more time when they have it, or if they have to make a decision with serious consequences. I cannot count on my hands how many times I watched a leader wait forever before considering their options and selecting one. For any leader, if you and your team are always making last-minute decisions then you have a process problem that needs attention, or you fail to ask this insightful question when given the opportunity.

Last-minute decisions can create big problems.

IQ#2 – How big is this decision?

The size of the decisions you make matters. The bigger the impact the more time you should use to make the decision. Jeff Bezos believes leaders should not use a one size fits all approach. Many small decisions you can make quickly while others may take more analysis. In some situations, you will not have much time available before moving forward. Do the best you can to get input from others for big decisions. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Decide and move ahead.

Making big decisions can be intimidating.

Strong leaders get more data, perspectives, and feedback for big decisions

Leaders need to get feedback from their stakeholders before they make a big decision. The general rule of thumb – the bigger the decision the more data, perspectives, and feedback you should gather before making it. It is critical that you get inputs from others in order to move your team forward after the decision is made.

It helps to have big brains for big decisions.

IQ#3 – Should team members and other stakeholders be involved in the decision?

The short answer is yes, as much as possible. My recommendation is that you walk them through the decision-making process, and answer any questions along the way. It will get real for your team the closer you get to making the decision. Some days, you will not have enough time to include your team members or other stakeholders. In this case, inform them about the decision as soon as possible after it is made and answer questions then.

Make sure your team is bought into the decision.

Strong leaders don’t make all decisions alone

Never make all your decisions alone, even if you make great decisions most of the time. This misstep sends a clear message to others that you do not value their perspectives, expertise, or insights. If you choose this path, you will be limited to your own thinking and experience. At a minimum be sure to bounce your thoughts off others to make sure you are not making a big mistake.

Making most decisions alone can be overwhelming.

IQ#4 – Should I ask for guidance from my boss before making the decision?

The right answer is hell yes if it is a big decision. It will keep you aligned with your boss and give you top cover. Besides your boss may provide helpful guidance that you will not get unless you ask for it. For smaller decisions, you may not need guidance from your boss. In fact, I believe that strong leaders make as many decisions as possible at their level to avoid bothering their boss with trivial details. Lastly, it is not uncommon for a leader to mistake who owns the decision. When you talk with your boss about the decision, get clarity so that you do not waste your energy on decisions that are not yours to make, or have already been made for you.

Keeping your boss informed is vital to success.

Take the time to ponder insightful questions

Strong leaders understand the importance of making good decisions. They ask insightful questions. They confirm how much time they have to make decisions. Strong leaders assess the size of the decision based on its impact. They include others when making big decisions, and get guidance from their boss to make sure they are aligned. Be that kind of leader.

Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.
Peter Drucker

ATW! is designed to make you a better leader

I hope you join me on this journey to raise the next generation of leaders. The world is in desperate need of more great leaders. Women and men who lead with confidence, clarity, and creativity. It’s time to become the leader that your world needs. Let’s go All The Way!

All the Way Leadership!

The legacy of MLK continues to grow with each passing year

Martin Luther King, Jr. remains a personal hero of mine. I believe MLK is one of the greatest leaders America ever produced. His name belongs among other American titans like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ike Eisenhower. Here are five reasons why his legacy continues to grow with each passing year, and why we celebrate his life today.

1. MLK leveraged his strengths to the advantage of others

Martin Luther King, Jr. did not have much power at all as a leader. He was an African-American man living in the segregated south. Whites and blacks were not equal. He was not a wealthy man either. MLK did possess several strengths that he leveraged to the advantage of others. First and foremost, he was a man of deep faith. Trained as a Baptist minister after completing college, he based his worldview on his Christian faith. He often quoted scripture when speaking and writing to justify the righteousness of the civil rights cause. Brilliant – preach the truth to the racists who claimed to be Christians. Little did they know at the time how foolish they look in retrospect.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.
Proverbs 18:2

2. He fought the battle with ideas

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a smart man. He passed the entrance exam for Morehouse college at age 15. He graduated with a degree four years later. MLK completed seminary, earned a Master’s degree, and received his Ph.D. by age 26. Impressive academic credentials that would serve him well over the years. If you read his writings or listen to his speeches they are both inspirational and logical. It is hard to pull apart his positions or argue against them. Many tried – most failed. MLK decided to fight his battles with ideas and non-violence. Genius move on his part. His enemies, critics, and antagonists were not sure how to respond. They did not realize that he fought from higher ground and held the advantage. Rather than the other way around.

3. MLK learned big ideas from others

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Christian, and he was willing to learn from others. His non-violent approach to the civil rights struggle was rooted in his faith and modeled after Gandhi’s actions when battling the British empire. According to a trusted internet source, from the early days of the Montgomery bus boycott Martin Luther King, Jr., referred to India’s Mahatma Gandhi as “the guiding light of our technique of nonviolent social change”. MLK realized the odds were stacked against him. He decided to learn from another leader who faced a similar situation and won. Ingenious idea – it worked. In the end, both were victorious.

4. He spoke with clarity and purpose

Martin Luther King, Jr., is arguably one of the greatest orators in American history. When MLK spoke, he inspired others to act. The words he said, the ideas he offered still reverberate across the world today. He was clear and spoke with purpose. It is a divine talent that few possess. Imagine for a moment the pressure MLK must have felt as he stood before hundreds of thousands on the National Mall. The “I have a dream speech” he gave that day is considered to be one of the best speeches ever. Right up there with Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. Every time I hear MLK’s speech I am inspired to be a better person and dream of the world he described.

One of the best speeches in American history.

5. MLK chose the harder path

Martin Luther King, Jr. paid the ultimate price for the civil rights cause. He was assassinated on April 4th, 1968. What a tragic loss for America, and the world. His early death is strikingly similar to President Lincoln’s. Both were gunned down by madmen. Both decided to take the harder path and paid the price. Lincoln and MLK both took America to a new mountaintop, a better place. I am grateful for both of them. I especially admire MLK’s decision to take the high road, the harder path. His life greatly impacted mine. I was born only a few short months before he died, and I cannot imagine what the world would be like without him. I am reminded of his impact every time I hear the song “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2. A song they wrote in tribute to him.

We still have a long way to climb

America and the rest of the world still have a long way to go when it comes to equality and civil rights. In fact, I think one could argue that we have taken a few steps backward this past decade. That needs to change. Let’s move forward to the next mountaintop. To go backward would sully the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. A man whose legacy continues to grow with each passing year.

All The Way Leadership!

Strong leaders know how to make good decisions

A few months ago I wrote about the fact that strong leaders make good decisions for their teams. The next series of blogs will describe in more detail how to make a good decision. This month we will begin with a simple process to use for making decisions.

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
President Theodore Roosevelt

Some leaders are not good when it comes to making decisions

Years ago, I worked for a leader who did not know how to make good decisions. In fact, he struggled to make any decisions. Our team spent hours, days, and weeks waiting for this leader to make decisions so that we could move forward. The organization put this leader in charge of an important project. He waffled with every decision. This leader did not know what he was doing and we did not deliver. It was a painful experience for all of us and did not end well for this leader.

The leader who replaced him knew how to make good decisions

A new leader was put in charge. This leader knew how to make decisions. She gathered the team to decide on the overall approach so that we could get moving. She followed a standard process for making decisions. Even though all team members did not agree with every decision we were able to get to the finish line. A final product was delivered that was well-received. I watched in wonder as she turned around a bad situation in a month. It was a pleasure working for a leader who knew how to make good decisions.

Strong leaders include others when making decisions

A tool to help you make a decision

As a leader, it is important that you know how to make a decision. When I was in the military we were trained in military decision-making to be better leaders. In the civilian world, I recommend you follow a similar process. The diagram found below shows a standard decision-making process. On the left is the military model. The right is a civilian translation of the process. It is simple to understand.

A side-by-side comparison of decision-making processes

Use this 8-step process for making decisions

Identify the problem – what are you trying to solve?
Establish decision criteria – what factors will you use to make the decision?
Weight decision criteria – what is most important when making the decision?
Generate alternatives – what are the different ways you can solve the problem?
Evaluate the alternative – what are the plusses and minuses of the different options?
Choose the best alternative – make the decision based on your analysis.
Implement the decision – move forward with the decision and make it happen.
Evaluate the decision – was it a good decision or not, in retrospect?

Follow a standard process when making decisions.

An example of bad decision making

Decades ago I worked for a commander who was not afraid to make decisions. But, he consistently made bad ones, especially when it came to discipline. He graduated from a small military college, not West Point nor the Citadel. There he learned the questionable principle that you punish everyone when anyone makes a mistake. That approach may work in the make-believe world he experienced during his college days, but it certainly does not work well in the real US Army. This fact did not bother him. Instead, he kept punishing the whole unit for the infractions of a few. In general, I found his discipline decisions annoying but was not overly concerned.

Most military schools require a lot of discipline.

He continued making bad decisions

One day our unit experienced a serious incident. Special equipment was missing. We went into lockdown to find the item. After many intense hours of searching it was finally located. One soldier was mad at our commander regarding all the discipline and decided to fight back by trying to steal something. Our Commander went ballistic. My fellow leaders and I recommended he punish the person responsible severely, but not involve anyone else. He ignored our counsel and punished every single soldier in our unit. I received an official letter of reprimand along with all my peers. As you might imagine the commander’s decision was not well received by any of us.

A person who has been punished is not less inclined to behave in a given way; at best, he learns how to avoid punishment.
B.F. Skinner

No one supported this leader when he needed them the most

After that horrible decision, the commander paid the price. He lost everyone’s trust. In the not-too-distant future, something happened that called into question our commander’s conduct. A serious allegation was made against him – lying to receive a personal award. His boss launched an investigation that included interviews with all his subordinates. No one supported him, nor spoke a positive word on his behalf. They threw the book at him. The commander was fired in shame and sent away. His boss was wise enough to know that you only punish those responsible, not everyone.

Military justice can be severe when needed.

What about you?

Do you know how to make good decisions? Do you follow a clearly defined process when making decisions? If not, it is time to learn how. If so, you will enjoy the next few blogs. We are going to explore this topic in detail to include points to ponder, practical tactical tips, and lessons learned based on decades of experience.

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A special Veterans Day tribute to the best veteran I ever knew

Last month my family laid my father, Colonel Richard Keating, to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. He was a veteran and cared deeply about other veterans, everyone who wore a uniform in service to the country he loved. My dad served over 23 years in the Army as an Infantry Officer, starting in the 82d Airborne Division. He went on to become a Green Beret who fought bravely for his country during three tough combat tours in Vietnam. Veteran’s Day had a special meaning for my father. I am reposting this blog in honor of him.

My father during one of his tours in Vietnam.

My father rarely ever cried

I looked over at my dad and noticed he was crying. It is not often that my father was moved to tears. He usually did not cry on Veterans Day. My dad, my sons called him Opa, was one of the toughest people I ever knew. He was an Airborne Ranger Special Forces officer who survived three tours in Vietnam without a scratch. He also had a big heart. I only recalled him crying when family members passed away.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_2485.jpg — My dad sitting in front of the WWII memorial in Washington DC.

Veteran’s Day 2017 was a special one

My brother and I had the privilege of escorting my dad to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. Opa participated in a ceremony with his 1956 West Point classmates. Each year those who are still here gather at the wall to honor one of their classmates who perished during the war. They read the names of the fallen, share the story of one in detail, and then walk down to where the name of that person is etched on the wall to place a wreath.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_2486.jpg — My father sitting in front of the Vietnam War memorial.

Family members of the fallen participate

It is a simple ceremony – nothing fancy. No long speeches, no politicians, no fanfare. Just a small group of veterans honoring one of their own. It was one of the most powerful Veteran’s Day events I have ever witnessed. I can understand why my dad cried during the ceremony. I teared up more than once while there.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_2488.jpg — Kicking off the informal ceremony for the USMA class of 1956.

Visiting the wall is difficult for many veterans like my dad

I am really glad that Opa was brave and decided to participate in the ceremony. He usually didn’t. My dad is a Vietnam veteran. He served three tough tours there. He lost a lot of friends in the war. Visiting the wall was a draining event for him. It was an emotional one. The wall reminded him of the war, battles fought, lives lost, and the complicated aftermath.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_2487.jpg — My brother and Dad read names on the wall.

Many veterans thrived after Vietnam

Fortunately, my father was able to return to the states and live a healthy and productive life after the war. My brother and I are the direct beneficiaries of my dad’s ability to put the war behind him and fulfill the American dream – to provide for your children so that they have an even better life than the one you lived. I have the same dream for my children and will do all that I can to make that happen. I want them to have a better life than mine. The reason veterans fight is for a better tomorrow.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_2493.jpg — Several of my dad’s classmates went on to be generals.

Veteran’s Day is for telling stories

My dad was a generous person and was always willing to help others in need. I experienced this firsthand as his son and witnessed it as he interacted with others. I saw another example of it during this ceremony. After we walked down to the wall Opa called over one of the family members who attended. He was the grown son of a fallen classmate. He is probably my age, or maybe even a little bit older. My dad let this family member know that he was good friends with his father many years ago. Opa shared a funny story that the man had never heard before.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_2492.jpg — Veterans catching up and telling stories.

Veterans know stories that family members need to hear

Dad proceeded to tell the son of his fallen classmate about his father. What his dad was like as a man. How he was a strong, smart, and brave soldier. Opa thought about the world of his classmate and was very sad when he learned about the untimely death of his good friend. My father was emotional – his eyes welled up with tears. Fond memories mixed with painful blasts from the past. It was a difficult thing for my dad to do, but he did it anyway. Opa gave this man a special gift that morning. The gift of knowing that his own dad was a great soldier. Afterward, the man thanked Opa for his service, and more importantly for letting him know about his father.

Opa talking to son of fallen classmate — Opa tells a story to the son of a fallen classmate – the gift of memories.

Thank you to all veterans

It is impossible to calculate the toll war takes on a nation, especially its veterans. So it is important that we honor those who have served. The brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. They deserve our respect and gratitude. My father is from a generation that fought an unpopular war, in an unknown part of the world, for reasons that are still somewhat of a mystery to this day. It was tough, but he and his generation did their part.

From this day to the end of time, without our being remembered: we few, we happy few, we band of brothers—for whoever sheds his blood with me today shall be my brother. However humble his birth, this day shall grant him nobility.
Henry V by William Shakespeare

Today’s veterans deserve our thanks

For the past two decades, our country was entangled in a long war that has cost our nation dearly. Today’s veterans face many of the same challenges that my dad and his classmates did many years ago. One day many years from now they too will gather together and talk about the wars they fought. As for you – do your part. If you see any veterans – thank them for their service. They deserve it, just like my dad.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_2490.jpg — More stories about fellow veterans.

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The perspective of Colin Powell on how to define leadership

We recently learned the news that General Colin Powell passed away. I am reposting an article I wrote about his trusted perspective on leadership. General Colin Powell will be missed. Given the challenges we face in the world these days, we desperately need more leaders like him who lead the way when it mattered most. RLTW!

Who was General Colin Powell?

General Colin Powell was one of the greatest US Army Generals in the last century. According to Wikipedia Powell was a professional soldier for 35 years. He held a myriad of command and staff positions and rose to the rank of 4-star General. Powell completed multiple combat tours in the Vietnam War. General Powell served as National Security Advisor (1987–1989), as Commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command (1989), and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993), holding the latter position during the Persian Gulf War.

Army Gen. Norman H. Schwarzkopf consults with then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell during Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Two great modern American Generals. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. H. H. Deffner)

General Powell was a pioneer

Powell was the first African American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under U.S. President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005, the first African American to serve in that position. His resume as a leader is impressive. I trust his leadership perspective.

Colin Powell was the first African-American Secretary of State. (AP Photo)

What did General Powell accomplish as a leader?

The list of General Powell’s accomplishments as a leader is too long for this blog. For his service, General Powell received numerous U.S. and foreign military awards and decorations. Powell’s civilian awards include two Presidential Medal of Freedom, the President’s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, and the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal. He also wrote multiple books. I read two of them (My American Journey, It Worked for Me: Lessons in Leadership and Life). I highly recommend both.

My copy of Colin Powell’s autobiography.

How did he view leadership?

In his books, Colin Powell describes a practical view of leadership. I trust his judgment. He has more experience than most leaders. His track record speaks for itself. General Powell was highly successful in numerous leadership roles. My favorite leadership quote by him is below. It describes the specific actions that leaders should focus on to be successful.

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.
General Colin Powell

Powell and Drucker both believe what you do matters

General Powell’s leadership perspective is similar to Peter Drucker’s. According to both of them what you do as a leader is important. Powell points out that you must be able to take care of your people and solve their problems. Otherwise, they will stop following you. In other words, competency counts, and actions speak louder than words.

Solving problems is a leaders job. — Solving problems is a leader’s job.

Powell’s leadership view is accurate

You demonstrate leadership skills by solving problems. If you cannot, then why are you in charge. Also, it is one thing to tell your team members you care about them. It is another thing to actually solve their problems. If you do one without the other you are failing as a leader. We all probably know at least one leader who talked a big game, but never followed it up with actions. Don’t be that kind of leader.

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Strong leaders make good decisions for their teams

Think about a strong leader you know. Ask yourself a question. Did she make good decisions for your team? The answer is yes. Strong leaders do. Now think about a weak leader. Someone you did not enjoy following. Ask yourself the same question. Did he make good decisions for his team? Your answer probably changed to no. It is difficult to follow someone who makes poor choices.

Making decisions is a constant leadership challenge

All leaders make decisions. It is a harsh reality that leaders face. The decisions you make range from big strategic ones to smaller tactical ones. Some are easy, and many are tough. Several may be simple while others are complex. The best leaders I worked for made good decisions of all types on a regular basis. Sure – you can delay, or avoid making choices. Weak leaders use this approach putting the destiny of their team into the hands of others. Don’t be that kind of leader. Be a strong leader who knows how to make good decisions.

Some decisions you make will be tough ones.

Many teams struggle to make a good decision

It is probably best if I describe what comprises a good decision. The definition for me is simple. A good decision is one that is informed, timely, and the best path forward. An informed decision is one that included the right amount of voices, data, analysis, opinions, etc. before it was made. Making all your decisions based purely on your own experience, expertise, and perspective can result in disaster. A timely decision means that the people responsible for implementing it have enough time for successful execution. Late decisions can wreak havoc on a team, and hasty ones are equally dangerous. The best path forward speaks for itself. Pick the best option.

Leaders are expected to make decisions

I remain amazed by how many people seek leadership positions and hate making decisions. They think decisions can be ignored, delegated to others, or selected through some random process like shaking the magic eight ball. The reality is that all leaders are expected to make a decision. Otherwise, why are you in the position? If you do not like calling the ball, do not become a leader. Do all of us a favor and stay a follower or an individual contributor. All teams deserve a leader who is willing to step up to the plate and make decisions. Go ahead, and swing the bat.

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
President Theodore Roosevelt

Strong execution will not make up for a really bad decision

My last point may not sit well with some. I believe that strong execution will not make up for a really bad decision. Some leaders will agree and say it is obvious. Others will argue that a great team can thrive despite the bad decision of its leader. I don’t agree. Too many times I have witnessed strong and well-intentioned teams tell themselves “we got this” despite a really bad decision from their leader. The leader’s role is to set the team up for success by making good decisions. Not put them behind the eight ball and expect them to make up for it with strong execution. Don’t be that kind of leader. Position your team for the win. They will thank you later for it.

Your team may not be able to overcome a bad decision.

What about you?

Are you making good decisions? Do you know how to make a decision that is timely, informed, and the best path forward? If not, don’t worry – All The Way Leadership! is here to help. The next series of blog posts will focus on making good decisions.

Bad decisions make you a weak leader, not a bad person.

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What is the worst mistake you can make when crafting your strategy?

Our Battalion Commander pointed at the map and explained his strategy. Everything was dependent on the element of surprise. We must attack before being detected. Otherwise, the battle would be lost. Guess what happened when we executed the strategy. The enemy detected our battalion before anyone was in position. Chaos ensued and we were wiped out. Luckily for us – it was a training exercise, not a real-world operation. Nonetheless, our commander was embarrassed and chastised by his senior leaders for creating a bad strategy. Our commander made a classic leadership mistake. He discounted the risk and assumed that everything would go according to plan. It didn’t and we failed.

An Army leader briefing his team members.

The biggest mistake you can make is ignoring the risks

Every strategy you create as a leader will come with risks. I am amazed at how many leaders choose to dismiss, ignore, or discount the risks rather than deal with them. There simply is no such thing as a risk-free strategy. The best approach that a leader can take when crafting a strategy is to identify the risks and determine ways to manage or mitigate them. The biggest mistake you can make is ignoring the risks and hoping for the best. The best scenario case rarely happens, and certainly does not happen over and over again. Prepare for the worst-case scenario so that your strategy does not fall apart because your team does not know what to do.

There are many versions of Murphy’s law – this is the easiest to remember.

Making bold moves creates the biggest impacts

As a leader, you drive results. In many cases that means your strategy will need to include bold moves. Never forget that risks and rewards correlate. If you want a large reward as the outcome of your strategy, you will likely need to include some bold means which will come with risks. Bold strategy = higher risk. Recognize this truth and factor it into your plans. If you are expecting huge results from your strategy and do not contemplate the associated risks, then you are setting up your team for struggles. Don’t be that kind of leader. Plan for the risks and deal with them when they arise.

The D-Day invasion was a high-risk strategy that paid off.

Another mistake – don’t be afraid to take risks

It is important to also point out that you need to take risks as a leader to get great results. If you refuse to ever take big risks, don’t be surprised if your team gets stuck in neutral. Now, I am not saying take big risks all the time, or stupid risks. Rather I am suggesting that smart, calculated risks are the way to go. I like the way Mark Zuckerberg says it below. You will likely fail if you avoid all risks. Be brave.

The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.
Mark Zuckerberg

One caveat – not all strategies require boldness

Not all situations require a bold strategy. If the team you are leading is performing well and delivering high-impact results don’t feel the need to put a bold strategy in place. In this case, craft a strategy that keeps your team moving forward. Manage the risks as needed and monitor the situation in case changes are needed down the road. You will exhaust your team if every day is high-risk execution.

Performance correlates to leadership ability — Excellent performance means your strategy is working.

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Four lessons learned for how to craft a winning strategy

Captain Slacker stood up to deliver his operations order. He described the mission with enthusiasm. We all would board helicopters, fly to the landing zone, disembark, and take the objective by force. A classic raid operation. The rest of the battalion would arrive by truck. Captain Slacker ended the briefing with a loud hooah, fully confident. Our Battalion Commander was in the room listening intently. He seemed unsettled. I was a platoon leader in the Army, wondering if I was experiencing a lessons learned moment. My hunch was accurate.

Operations orders describe the plan in detail.

Things went from good to go to bad

The Battalion Commander asked one question. “Captain, who told you that your company would be conducting the raid via helicopters?” Silence. “Your company is arriving in the trucks. Your plan is crap! Fix it!! I will return in an hour to hear your new plan. Hooah, indeed.” You could hear a pin drop in the room as the Battalion Commander left the room while we all stood at attention.

Blowing it in front of a senior leader is always painful.

Learn from others mistakes to avoid repeating them – make sure everyone knows the strategy

We all helped Captain Slacker revamp the plan so that he was prepared for the battalion commander’s return. The second briefing went fine, but we could all tell that the colonel was still pissed. I learned later it was because Captain Slacker missed the meeting where the battalion strategy was shared. I made a mental note. Make sure I know the strategy before writing my own plan. It is a mistake I have seen many times in my career. Lesson learned #1 – make sure everyone knows the strategy, or else you will see plans that make zero sense.

Not knowing the strategy leads to misaligned plans.

Lessons Learned #2 – Communicate it often

As a leader, you remember the strategy. The question is whether, or not, your stakeholders remember it. Don’t be surprised if they don’t. You need to communicate the strategy often, especially for bold ones that will be challenging to implement. When obstacles arise your team members will ask why are we doing this. Reiterate the strategy to them – it will help you get everyone to the finish line, especially when things get hard.

All-hands meetings are excellent opportunities to communicate the strategy.

Lessons Learned #3- Create a clever way to capture the central idea

It is difficult for me to remember stuff. We all face this challenge. You do and so do your team members. Help them remember the strategy by creating a clever way to capture the central idea. A few methods that seem to work well include using an acronym, slogan, or graphic depiction of the strategy. Some of you are probably shaking your head thinking this lesson learned is unnecessary. Trust me it is a worthwhile investment of your time to come up with a clever way to communicate it to your stakeholders. Otherwise, they will forget it quickly.

An excellent example of an easy-to-remember acronym.

Lessons Learned #4 – Market it

Yes – you read that correctly. You need to market your strategy. Use a memorable slogan or compelling graphic to get the word out. I am a big fan of having a one-page summary of the strategy that you can use post and easily reuse. Another technique that seems to work well is to brand your communications with a slogan or graphic. Your stakeholders will see it consistently and be reminded on a regular basis where the organization is going.

Apple uses clever marketing for its talent strategy.

Bottom line – leverage these four lessons learned for crafting your winning strategy

Make sure everyone knows the strategy.
Communicate it often.
Create a clever way to capture the central idea.
Market it.

Manage the top line: your strategy, your people, and your products, and the bottom line will follow.
Steve Jobs

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Practical tactical tips leaders leverage for crafting a winning strategy

I listened intently as the senior leader spoke. He was sharing the “new” strategy with the leadership team. It was the same old, same old. He claimed that we were in normal market conditions, and if we worked hard everything would be fine. In fact, the market had shifted. Conditions were much more challenging than the past few years, and we needed a new strategy. Our leader did not deliver one. Fast forward a year and things were not good. We missed our targets. A new leader was brought in. Our previous leader made a classic mistake and paid the price. He did not know the practical tactical tips leaders leverage to craft a winning strategy.

Practical tactical tips to craft a winning strategy

All The Way Leadership! believes that crafting a winning strategy is what strong leaders do. They also know how to craft a winning strategy. It is important that leaders ask insightful questions about the best way to craft their strategy. In this post, I am going to share some practical tactical tips (PTTs) for how to craft a winning strategy based on experience. Simple advice for new leaders to follow.

Practical tactical tips are worth jotting down for future use.

Practical Tactical Tip (PTT) #1 – Don’t take too long to craft the strategy

Speed matters a lot these days. If you are going to implement a winning strategy – it needs to be timely. One vitally important lesson that the pandemic taught all organizations is that change may come much faster than you anticipate. With that thought in mind, don’t take too long to craft the strategy. If you do, you risk missing the opportunity window that will determine if the strategy is successful, or not. In general, I recommend taking no longer than 90 days to craft your strategy. That may seem fast to some. I was in an organization that took many months to craft our strategy. While we wasted time pondering, our competitor moved out with a new strategy and crushed us. It took years to recover from our protracted approach.

PTT#2 – Don’t look too far out for the future state

Any strategy should focus on getting an organization to a desired future state. Clearly identifying the destination you are trying to reach provides clarity to all stakeholders. One thing that has changed over the past few decades is the time horizon used for effective strategies. Five and ten-year strategies used to be all the rage. Nowadays, it is difficult to project what things will be like that far forward. Instead, I recommend framing any strategy for the next few years. No more than 1-3 years out. Five years is far-fetched. Ten years is pure fiction. Any strategy time horizon longer than that is a complete fantasy.

Make sure to include a future state in your strategy.

PTT#3 – Avoid calling everything a strategy

In the office, you hear the word strategy thrown around a lot. It is a buzzword. In fact, some people say that you need many strategies to accomplish an outcome. When I hear most people say strategy, they are actually talking tactics, techniques, goals, or objectives. Watch the video below if you want a quick primer on what a strategy is and is not. I recommend avoiding calling everything a strategy – it will confuse your stakeholders, and make you look uninformed as a leader.

Remember – Collaboration creates buy-in

One final reminder. Remember that collaboration creates buy-in. If you include stakeholders in crafting the strategy they will be more open to it than if you leave them out until it is time to implement. Sure – collaboration requires more time and energy than crafting the strategy yourself, but it is well worth the investment.

Design thinking requires a new way of collaborating. — Collaboration creates better ideas and strategies.

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