greg bustin why do plans fail prepare to stop

Prepare to Stop

  1. June 24th, 2014  | 

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Published in Strategic Planning

Why do plans fail?

We’re nearing the year’s midpoint.

How’s your performance?

Take these two actions in the next two weeks to increase the odds you’ll finish the year strong.

First, hit the pause button.

Gather your team for a one-day session out of the office – nothing fancy, just away from distractions.

Ask your leaders to come prepared to answer these questions:

  1. What has been my team’s single greatest accomplishment so far? Disappointment?
  2. What changes have occurred in the last six months that we did not anticipate?
  3. What is the single greatest problem or opportunity we now face?
  4. What is our plan for addressing these issues going forward?

Based on the answers, take a hard look at your priorities, your people and your performance. Are your resources spread so thin they’re failing to deliver the results you expect?

If so, concentrate your resources on two or three must-win projects and agree on one program or project that you will stop chasing.

Plans don’t fail because there aren’t enough good ideas.

Why do plans fail?

Plans fail because there are too many good ideas.

About the Author: Greg Bustin advises some of the world’s most admired companies and leaders, and he’s dedicated a career to working with CEOs and the leadership teams of hundreds of companies in a range of industries. He’s facilitated more than 250 strategic planning sessions, he’s delivered more than 600 keynotes and workshops on every continent except Antarctica, and he coaches leaders who are inspired to take their career to the next level. His fourth leadership book— Accountability: The Key to Driving a High-Performance Culture (McGraw-Hill) —is a Soundview Executive Best Business Book.

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