Well I wish I could say I was stunned by his revelation, but I wasn’t. Because, tracking strategic plans during implementation can be boring – really boring – when you forget WHY you’re implementing each item in the first place.
Tracking strategic plans during implementation can be boring – really boring – when you forget WHY you’re implementing each item in the first place.
When reviewing and updating your strategic plan becomes nothing more than that – an efficient, focused meeting to discuss what’s done, what’s not done, who needs help, and what’s coming up next – the process can become routine and boring. It’s understandable for you and your team members to think: “Check, check, check. Ok, we’re done here. I’m off to my next meeting.” You and they mentally, check, check, check out of the update meeting and the impact of the strategic initiatives you’re working on. You’re more focused on getting things done than on ensuring your work is having the impact you’d intended when you developed your plan. Instead of thinking: Is this accomplishing what we need? You think: Did we hit the due date?
Instead of thinking: Is this accomplishing what we need? You think: Did we hit the due date?
To regain the excitement you had when you first created and then implemented your plan, refocus on WHY you believed each particular action step was needed. What problem would it solve? What positive impact would it have? Which stakeholder(s) would it help?
Instead of simply accepting an update on the completion status of a strategic item, such as: “We’re 70% complete with the Teleron installation in the southeast region and expect to hit our June 30 completion due date.” Ask your team members to include an update on the impact of the work done to date. The update then becomes something like this: “We’re 70% complete with the Teleron installation in the southeast region and expect to hit our June 30 completion due date. What’s been interesting is that our customers are adapting to the new application quicker than we expected. They’re finding the refined dashboards much more logical and easy to navigate. Their requests for customer support are trending about 30% lower than we projected, which is making my implementation and tech teams happy. My team is feeling really good about this product and project.”
Does each person’s update take a bit longer with this approach? Yes. But it helps each individual and the team reengage with the value, the impact, and the reason the work is being done in the first place.
Stop being boring. Start reengaging with your plan’s purpose.
Copyright MMXXII – Liz Weber, CMC, CSP – Weber Business Services, LLC – www.WBSLLC.com +1.717.597.8890
Liz supports clients with strategic and succession planning, as well as leadership training and executive coaching. Learn more about Liz on LinkedIn!
