I’ve been out of college for more years than I like to admit. But I still love being a student. I devour 40-60 books per year, and I attempt to hack my learning by using apps like Blinkist. This way I can listen to a Cliffs Notes version of popular books on my commute.
I typically speed up the narration to 1.5x to move things along. Odd, I know. But it’s what keeps me going. Why am I telling you all of this? Because for the past 6 weeks, I’ve been in hyper-learning mode. Absorbing an online course from MIT Sloan Program – Leading Organizations for High-Velocity Performance.
My head is spinning.
The sheer volume of information we’ve covered has been nothing short of miraculous. Everything I’ve learned so far, I’ve documented. I’m going to implement most in my organization in the coming months. I’m also excited to share some of what I’ve learned here with you. Sometimes writing about what you’ve learned, helps it stick. Ya know?
Wiring an organization for exceptional performance involves several key elements.
Here we go:
Clear Vision and Mission:
Organizations should have a clear and compelling vision and mission statement that aligns with the values and aspirations of employees, customers, and stakeholders. This serves as the foundation for driving performance and helps create a sense of purpose and direction.
Strategy:
A well-defined strategy is essential for ensuring that an organization’s efforts are focused on the right objectives and that resources are deployed effectively to achieve those objectives. The strategy should be aligned with the organization’s vision and mission and should be communicated and understood by all employees.
Culture:
An organization’s culture plays a critical role in determining how well employees work together, how motivated they are, and how much they are willing to contribute to the success of the organization. I’m obsessed with culture. Maybe because I hated the culture at so many places where I’ve worked. Organizations should aim to create a culture that values and rewards excellence, creativity, and innovation, and that fosters a sense of community and belonging.
Leadership:
Effective leadership is essential for creating a high-performing organization. Leaders must have the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide employees, and to create a sense of trust and confidence among employees. They must also be able to make difficult decisions and take calculated risks in order to drive performance.
Communication:
Effective communication is crucial for ensuring that employees understand what is expected of them and that they are able to contribute effectively to the organization. Organizations should have effective mechanisms for communicating both internally and externally and should aim to create an open, transparent, and honest communication culture.
Performance Management:
Organizations should have an effective performance management system in place that helps employees understand their role in the organization, and what they need to do to contribute to its success. Performance management should be tied to rewards and recognition programs and should provide employees with feedback, coaching, and development opportunities.
Talent Management:
Attracting and retaining the best talent is critical for driving performance in any organization. Organizations should have effective talent management processes in place, including recruitment, training, development, and succession planning, in order to ensure that they have the right people in place to drive performance.
Continuous Improvement:
Organizations should be continuously looking for ways to improve, both in terms of their processes and their results. This requires a continuous learning culture, where employees are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and seek out new and innovative solutions to the challenges they face.
By focusing on these key elements, organizations can create a high-performance culture that drives exceptional results.
What did I miss? Add it in the comments below.