ABSTRACT
The strategic plan becomes the prioritization mechanism used to determine if the new fire should be put out or addressed at all. A clear purpose-based strategy empowers people to identify those things they should stop doing in order to focus on activities that more fully support common objectives. Many leaders lack the capability to translate desired outcomes into actionable plans for improvement. In fact, the leader's job is to describe the desired outcomes of the strategy in such a way that managers and supporting teams begin to see a path from where they are now to where they need to be. Daily tasks that are explicitly connected with strategy are the vital work that must be done at the highest level of performance. The degree of experimentation and adjustment in connection with this daily work indicates the commitment to excellence that people are making. This thoughtful dedication can be seen through the consistent practice of Plan–Do–Check–Adjuststructured problem solving.
