Effective leadership is about getting things done. Execution is a valuable skill for leaders that can hold themselves and others accountable for making plans and decisions and sticking to them.
What is your Execution Velocity?
“The formula for achieving goals is straightforward: apply team, time and budget to the specific work needed to reach the right results. Very successful people achieve goals faster and with fewer resources than peers; their execution velocity is high, which raises their career velocity. Their capacity to execute is focused on achieving clear goals so they need less time or resources to get from point A to point B; great business and career results follow” – Deidre Paknad, Workboard.
As a leader, your success will always be measured by how much of the corporate goals you achieve within a given time frame as defined by your (or organisation’s) strategic plan.
But what does it take to be truly effective at execution? In this article, we’ll explore the habits and traits of highly effective leaders who get things done consistently. By understanding and implementing these practices, you can become more proficient at executing your vision and achieving results. This piece is part of a 5-part series to kickstart your journey to exceptional leadership in the new year. Stay tuned for practical tips on how to improve your own leadership execution.
Define what your goals are and write them down
Having clearly defined goals is an important part of becoming successful and achieving what you set out to do. Taking the time to identify and prioritise your goals will give you a roadmap for the path ahead, helping you stay focused on the main objective. Writing them down not only makes them tangible but also serves as a source of motivation and reminds us of our ambition when we feel discouraged. Making regular progress towards your goals helps ensure that effort is continuously put forth, giving us a feeling of satisfaction upon completion. By setting specific money amounts (figures) or timelines (dates), we can easily track our progress while keeping the momentum alive along the way. Ultimately, having clear-cut goals will help lead us to success faster if they are tracked with diligence and consistency.
Set A Deadline For Each Goal
Setting deadlines is a great way to stay motivated and make sure that you are reaching your goals. It is important to put realistic timeframes on each goal that you set for yourself, as this will help you stay focused and ensure that you are making measurable progress toward success. Deadlines can be motivating, as well as humbling – it’s ok if you don’t make your initial deadline, but the key is to keep trying and make sure the next one is reachable. Achieving milestones with set deadlines will give you confidence, which in turn can motivate you to take on even larger goals!
Break Down Each Goal Into Smaller, More Manageable Tasks
Achieving any goal requires a structured plan. To make it easier, one should break down that goal into smaller tasks and steps. This allows people to work through the goal at a manageable pace, tackling each task as they progress. Taking on a large project or milestone can feel overwhelming but breaking it down into smaller components mitigates the stress and helps individuals focus on the end goal. Creating a sensible timeline for each of the tasks and keeping organized records can also be very helpful in staying on track and eventually achieving the desired outcome.
Delegate Tasks To Others Or Hire Help If Needed
In today’s fast-paced world, it is impossible to do everything yourself. Trying to take on the entire burden of the business unit or department you lead is not a viable solution, as this will limit progress and quickly lead to burnout. The key to success is the delegation of tasks, either to employees, colleagues or even external support services. Having an extra set of hands can help handle mundane administrative duties or allow more time for developing business strategies and making critical decisions. Thus, delegating tasks or hiring help when necessary is crucial for a successful foundation and is essential for any serious entrepreneur.
Stay Organised And On Track By Using A Planner Or Scheduling App
Remaining organised and on task can be a considerable challenge. To minimise stress and streamline aspirations, it is useful to get into the habit of using a planner or scheduling app. There are tons to choose from in the myriad of productivity apps available online. My current favourites are Trello and Calendly, I am sure you can find suitable alternatives that suit your lifestyle/work flow.
Planners are great for carving out time for yourself amongst a hectic schedule, while many scheduling apps feature features that are tailored to an individual’s needs like setting reminders, tagging, and creating various lists.
Whether one prefers digital or physical planning tactics, breaking up projects into small manageable tasks is key for long-term success. Writing down events and scenes improves recall to ensure all planned items are completed within set deadlines. Establishing an efficient planning system helps structure and organize activities from start to finish so goals may be achieved efficiently.
As you step into 2023 with renewed vigour and zeal, ask yourself the following questions to inspire even greater productivity:
- What are some goals you’ve set for yourself recently?
- How have you been tracking your progress?
- Are there any methods or techniques that have helped you stay on track?
- How do you feel about your level of progress so far?
You can make this year your most productive year ever, by following these and many simple tips for leading with executive confidence.
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