Running Fast

A few weeks ago,  I attended my daughter's high school cross country meet.  Excited to see her compete, I arrived early, paid my admission fee, and grabbed a course map from the large stack on a nearby table. Cramming the course map into my pocket, I walked over to her team's staging area: "So what's your strategy for the race today?" I asked her.  She looked at me and in a dismissive tone, replied..

" To run fast."

After we chuckled a bit, I retrieved that map from my pocket and began to highlight some key aspects of the course to her.  I pointed out the one and two mile marks to help her more effectively pace herself.  I showed her where she will encounter a series of hills; and talked about a decisive point 800 meters short of the finish line that will be her last chance to push her pace and finish strong (timing is everything here). As I continued talking, I noticed several other members of her team gathering around me like the offense line of a football team huddling around its quarterback.  Frantically, they asked me to show them the map and discuss the finer points of the course with them too.  I realized, that none of the girls were familiar with the course, and more importantly, no adults had taken time to discuss the course with them.  I went on to explain how important a strategy is to their success, both as a team and individual.

To my delight, these finer points were reinforced the following week during an impromptu conversation between the coach for the high school boy's team and several of my daughter's teammates.  With a small captive audience, coach Braun talked about different strategies the girls should use during races and practices.   I stood a short distance away, listening as he made the connection on individual and organizational strategies and goals (making it to Regionals). This guy gets it! He laid out a goal for the team and a strategy on how they can achieve it.  I was really impressed by his leadership and mentoring. I could tell that these young ladies now understood that having a strategy in cross country is more than just running fast.

The coach gave them a goal, gave them encouragement, and explained how the strategy can help them achieve the goal to make it to Regionals. How do you connect your team with your organizational goals?  Is your business strategy  to "run fast", (make a profit, sell the most widgets, etc) ?  How do you develop a business strategy that connects your team with your organizational goals?


#strategic, #business

Finding True North

Want to get from point A to point B?

It’s simple.  Grab your map, pull out your compass, and follow the arrow. Recognizing that the little red arrow points to the North, you orient accordingly. For most of us, the distinction of magnetic north and true north are inconsequential, but to the seasoned navigator traveling a great distance, there is a distinction;   a one degree difference in true north and magnetic north can most certainly land the expert off-course.  

Effective strategic business planning moves a business from point A to point B by pointing the red arrow towards the organization’s vision and goals. Doing this well is creates the one degree of difference that separates high performing companies from average companies.

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