Kissing Leadership Communication

Jan 13, 2011 | Leadership Development

It happened again. As I started a work session with a client group recently, I asked them to bring me up to speed on what's been happening with their company since our last session. Several managers shared positive updates to projects that supported their strategic plan. Then the CEO commended the managers for their work to date, but then spent three minutes telling them they need to take time with their teams to explain the genesis of their respective projects, continue to orient new team...

Your Values Statement Serves as Your House Rules

Apr 17, 2010 | Strategic Planning

We have all seen values statements hanging on the walls of various organizations. They're usually nicely framed and tastefully hung for all who pass by to see. However, other than knowing the executive team developed them as part of a strategic planning effort, most of us who walk by our own organization's values statement rarely understand its purpose - other than serving as a nice piece of artwork. The values statement of an organization is what I call "The House Rules." It outlines how...

A Mission Statement Clarifies Why You Exist

Mar 31, 2010 | Strategic Planning, WBS

Unlike the vision statement, which creates a clear picture of what we want to accomplish or become, the mission statement, clarifies what we do as an organization; why we exist; what purpose we serve. That's its job. Webster's Dictionary defines mission as "an assignment or task to be carried out." The mission statement clarifies for everyone who works with us and those with whom we interact, just what business we're in. I become frustrated when someone says, "I don't care what you call it:...

10 Indications It’s Time to Update Your Strategic Plan – Why, When & How

Mar 23, 2010 | Strategic Planning

If you're wondering when to update your company's strategic plan, here are ten indicators it may be time: Someone wrote "Update Me" in the dust on the printed version of your plan. You vaguely remember creating your plan about the same time you bought your first fax machine. When asked if they've ever seen your company's strategic plan, your employees laugh and reply, "Strategic plan? This company has a strategic plan? I don't believe it!" You ask eight different employees to identify the top...