By Molly McGee Hewitt, PhD, CAE
Last month, my leadership article focused on strategy within the transportation sector. This month, I’m excited to introduce the concept of execution.
Execution? That word can carry a negative connotation, often evoking thoughts of dire situations! However, the execution I’m referring to involves implementing our plans and utilizing strategies to propel us forward. In reality, we execute our tasks daily! This term embodies activity, action, and the thoughtful implementation of our plans rather than marking an end.
An esteemed colleague once introduced me to the following steps for planning and change:
• Analyze
• Strategize
• Plan
• Execute
• Evaluate
These steps have become foundational to my personal analysis and planning. Begin with a thorough analysis of the current situation—determine what needs to change and assess our existing successes. Next, move on to strategy: dedicate time to think critically and develop methods that can enhance your organization or circumstance. The third stage is crafting a plan, which should be a written document detailing clear expectations, timelines, required resources, assignments, and goals.
The fourth step—execution—is the focus of this article, as it’s often overlooked or neglected. For any plan, idea, or process to thrive, execution is essential! Initiate the plan, take action, and stop merely contemplating what you intend to do—just do it!
Many individuals rush to step five too quickly, evaluating the plan before it’s even implemented. Premature evaluation can hinder progress and stifle initiative. Just like the other four steps, while post-activity evaluation can provide valuable insights, doing it too early can compromise our planning efforts.
Numerous professionals excel at the first three steps. They relish analyzing, strategizing, and planning! Unfortunately, they frequently stall at that point. Organizational politics, lack of authority to implement their plans, or fear—fear of failure or fear of the plan not succeeding—can all impede execution. Without a focus on executing, even the best plans may face the risk of failure!
If you examine my professional library, you’ll find hundreds of books on leadership, time management, and adult education, along with a myriad of diet books! However, purchasing a book doesn’t guarantee that I’ll apply its insights. Throughout my education and training, I’ve realized that possessing information is beneficial, but utilizing that information is what truly transforms outcomes! Mastery of any subject requires experience and expertise, which can only be gained through execution.
One of my friends uses ChatGPT to plan their vacations. They invest hours analyzing their destination, timing, and desired sights, then leverage AI to devise strategies regarding costs and logistics. They subsequently use AI to create a detailed timeline for their trip! Once these steps are complete, they execute the plan by embarking on the journey and making use of the gathered information. Without execution, the meticulously crafted trip remains just a fantasy!
While AI has certainly broadened our possibilities and enhanced our capabilities, even the most advanced AI cannot execute a plan—that requires a dedicated and committed individual! It also necessitates the understanding that even the best plans and strategies may require adjustments or management.
So, how do you approach analysis, strategy, planning, execution, and evaluation? Could adopting a systematic methodology enable you to advance more swiftly and effectively in your department and career? I’m confident it can!