So what makes an executive effective?

It is NOT based on personality, attitudes, values, specific strengths and weaknesses according to Peter Drucker in a recent Harvard Business Review article.

Effectiveness is a learned discipline. It is the ability to get the right things done.

In his 65 years of consulting leaders, Drucker noted a number of practices effective executives master:

1. They focus on what needs to be done not just what they want to do.

• When focusing on what really needs to get done, there are many steps to accomplish. Regardless of multiple demands, they concentrate on one task at a time. They set priorities and stick to them. They don't prioritize their schedule; rather, they schedule their priorities.
• After completing a task, they reset their priorities asking, "what must be done now?"
• In areas where they are simply incompetent, smart executives delegate decisions and actions. A wise leader clearly identifies those areas in his life.

2. They develop action plans.

• Act. Plan the work, work the plan. An action plan without action is just a plan. As Tom Peters said, possess a bias for action.
• Drucker says, "The action plan is a statement of intentions rather than commitment. It must not be a straightjacket. It should be revised often, because every success creates new opportunities."
• Effective executives develop a system for checking the results against the expectations during and at the end of the plan. Priceless lessons are often missed when this is not followed.

3. They take responsibility for decisions.

• A decision has not been made until people know who "owns it" (who is doing it), what is to be done, when is it to be completed, and who is affected by this decision.
• When a plan doesn't work, effective executives don't immediately blame the people for not performing. They go "inward" first to see what mistake was made in the planning and communication.
• Conversely, they don't tolerate nonperforming individuals in important jobs.

4. They take responsibility for communicating.

• They make sure their plans and the information they need are well understood.
• They get feedback from superiors, subordinates and peers.

5. They focus on opportunities rather than problems.

• According to Drucker, "Problem solving, however necessary, does not produce results. It prevents damage. Exploiting opportunities produces results."
• These leaders look at "change" as an opportunity rather than a threat.
• They put their best people on opportunities rather than on problems.
• It's common that they have their managers make 2 lists: opportunities company-wide and top performers in company.

6. They run productive meetings.

• Discipline is the key. They are disciplined to decide and keep with the purpose and make sure the meeting concludes with clearly defined action items.
• They focus on making and following up with key decisions instead of endless "no-action" discussions.

7. They think and say, "We" rather than "I."

• Effective leaders have authority only because they have the trust of the organization.
• As James wrote centuries ago, they are quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.

This is quite a list to put your arms around! I recommend that you re-read these practices and pick just one that you will take action on now.

Remember, leadership is giving your healing strength to a weak situation.

Let your leadership be felt today!

Tim and Sandy Redmond

Redmond Leadership Institute is a non-profit organization with a passion to unlock and release the greatness in people and organizations. RLI focuses on equipping leaders with powerful tools that produce dramatic results. We speak at businesses, churches, organizations, seminars and host conferences in the US and abroad; particularly in developing nations with huge potential.

If you would like Tim to address your organization - especially with the unique and powerful Leadership and Wealth Creation seminar segments, please call or email us.