I spoke with a CEO recently about moving his business to the next level.
It was interesting that the first three strategic points I mentioned, he said, “Yes, I know that.” My question back to him was, “If you know these things, why aren’t you growing 22-25% per year?” He had no answer.
Any action, whether it is growth, restructuring, or hiring, requires:
- More awareness of the situation, the needs of others, and our own shortcomings. God knows we all have at least a few.
- A clear sense and statement of purpose. It’s not just your “why,” as Simon Sinek importantly has made us realize, but what makes you and your business distinct from all others, as I discussed in my previous book, The Power of Why – Breaking Out in A Competitive Marketplace.
- Thoroughness of thought is not so that you can always be right, but rather the decisions you do make are relevant and comprehensive. And you have a clear understanding of the impact of those decisions, short AND long-term, on you and others.
Action Step: Assess what you know and need to do… and start doing it with this guidance.
As Stephen Covey stated, “To know and not to do is not to know.”