Leadership Flow

Talking about the right things, at the right time, with the right people taking ownership

Talking about the right things, at the right time, with the right people taking ownership

Execution is the combination of simple tools, defined processes, especially meetings, and a great leadership mindset

Flow is a term often used to describe the mental state of high performing athletes. But as well as this definition, “Flow” has also been used for many years as a term to describe a process which creates value and minimise waste. When I think of leadership flow, I am incorporating both meanings. It is “talking about the right things, at the right time, with the right people taking ownership”

Tools

What tools will you use to ensure your Objectives and Key Results remain a priority? A number of elements of this emerge from the Thought Leaders on Lean and Enterprise Excellence. Tools include Visual boards, dashboards, cockpits. Use of graphs, flags and traffic lights.

Process

Patrick Lencioni in his great book “Death by Meetings” emphasises the importance of meetings to create alignment, but each type of meeting has a clear purpose. In each meeting we have “Flow” - talking about the right things at the right time with the right people taking ownership. Triggers need to be defined in advance to celebrate success and to escalate problems.

Mindset

Alan Mullaly, the great turnaround CEO at Ford Motor Company captured the concept of “Joyful Accountability” - The idea of someone willingly taking on a challenge. Gino Wickman in Traction talks about “GWC” - The person Gets the role, Wants to do it and Can do it. (Only the last one can be addresses by training)