The FD recently wrote, based on research from the American univesity MIT: “AI runs aground on humans.” It is not technology, but how we learn and change that determines success. This is true for AI, but equally true for strategy execution and organizational development.
This is about execution power: success comes not from more programs, but from learning faster and turning potential into impact.
Focus and rhythm
Organizations overestimate what is possible in one year, and underestimate what is possible in two to five years. Executive power does not require more initiatives, consultations or KPIs, but rather focus, clarity and daily routines.
Think big – start small – make pace.
From potential to impact
Radical improvements are in daily work, not in big programs. The question is not: What do we add? But: How do we make more impact with what we already do?
Top-down direction, bottom-up energy
Executive power occurs when leaders take direction and teams take ownership. That means:
– Clarity of goals
– Ownership and learning in teams
– Daily direction via simple routines (such as PDCA)
Thus, the focus shifts from deliverables to results.
More execution power with less
Executive power means: achieving goals faster and more consistently with less waste of time, energy and resources. Fewer programs, fewer meetings, less complexity – and more focus, ownership and results as a result.
Leadership Actions
To break the pattern of “more, faster, better.”
1. Make choices and consciously stop doing things. Delete what doesn’t add value.
2. Steer for impact, not output. Question: how does the customer notice?
3. Introduce rhythm. Create fixed, simple steering moments and short feedback loops.
Reflection Question: Where in your organization today is there already untapped potential for radical improvement – hidden in everyday work?
