"Focus on one thing, make it your priority, and stick with it no matter what!
Taylor Perry.
The daily task we face as teachers often overshadow our ultimate goals. Day-to-day activities are the major obstacles when we intend to try something new. They consume all the time and energy we need to invest in executing our strategy for innovation. The authors of the 4 Disciplines of Execution recommend we follow a simple and repeatable formula to compensate for the whirlwind.
Installing Discipline #1 requires focusing on less to achieve more. In order to find our Wildly Important Goal (WIG), we need to follow these simple steps:
Step 1. We begin by brainstorming possible widely important goals.
Step 2. From the list of candidates, identify one or two ideas that promise the greatest potential impact
Step 3. Test these possible WIGs against these specific criteria.
Is it measurable?
Can I keep a score?
Depends mainly on me?
Step 4. Define the WIG
Begin with a verb
Define the lag measure in terms of X to Y by When
Keep it simple
Focus on what, not how
What if your WIG is a project?
With projects, it's far better to establish a lag measure that relates to the organization outcome the project is designed to meet.
Discipline #2, Act on the lead measures. Measuring the results of a WIG (lag measure) is crucial, but it is even more important and difficult to track behavior than results. Lead measures help prevent failure. Lag measures cannot predict if something is wrong during the process; by the time we find out, it is too late. There are two types of lead measures:
Small outcomes are lead measures that focus the team on achieving a weekly result, but give each member of the team latitude to choose their own method for achieving it.
Leveraged behaviors are lead measures that track the specific behaviors you want to team to perform throughout the week. The team is accountable for performing the behavior, rather than producing the result.
To identify the lead measures is necessary to follow these steps:
Step 1. Begin by brainstorming possible lead measures
What could we do that we've never done before that might make all the difference to the WIG?
What strengths of this team can we use as leverage on the WIG?
What weaknesses might keep us from achieving the WIG?
Step 2. Identify the ideas that promise the greatest potential impact on the Team WIG.
Step 3. Test top ideas
Is it predictive?
Is it influenceable?
Is it an ongoing process or a "once and done"?
Is it a leader's game r a team game?
Can it be measured?
Is it worth measuring?
Step 4. Define the lead measures
Are we tracking team or individual performance?
Are we tracking the lead measure daily or weekly?
Discipline #3 A compelling scoreboard.
Step 1. Choose a theme for your scoreboard that displays clearly and instantly the measures you are tracking.
Step 2. Design the scoreboard. It must be simple, easy to see, show lead and lag measures and be able to tell if we are winning or losing.
Step 3. Let the team build the scoreboard. The greater their involvement, the better. They will take more ownership of it if they build it themselves.
Step 4. Keep it updated.
Who is responsible for the scoreboard
When it will be posted
How often it will be updated
Discipline #4. A cadence of accountability. It is necessary to arrange daily/weekly short meetings. During these meetings, simple questions on commitments and results (success/failure) give us a clear idea of whether we are on track. Review the last commitments and set up new ones. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Demonstrate respect
Step 2. Reinforce accountability
Step 3. Encourage performance
Keys to successful WIG sessions
Hold WIG sessions as schedule
Keep the sessions brief
Set the standard as the leader
Post the scoreboard
Celebrate successes
Share learning
Refuse to let the whirlwind enter
Clear the path for each other
Execute in spite of the whirlwind
References
McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2012). The 4 disciplines of execution: achieving your wildly important goals. New York, NY, Free Press.
Image
https://aspirekc.com/are-you-living-in-the-whirlwind/
Commenti