In the last blog article I asked “How important is it for business leaders to get it right in 2021?”. Surprising statistics were noted on how little confidence senior business leaders have in their rising leaders according to Deloitte surveys. And, to add more to the challenge, it was noted that current leaders are also contending with managing remote and hybrid work teams, new generational work cultures, and uncertain pandemic economic conditions. The crisis simply stated: no consistent framework, no common developmental path, and no structure to develop and build crucial future leadership.
However, the good news: there is a pathway to develop and enhance these critical skills. By identifying, prioritizing, and applying the five essential priorities in The Prioritized Leader Suite, current and future leaders can realign their organizations for maximum health, productivity, and profitability. With a system for continuous realignment, it allows the best leaders to keep the most important goals at the forefront, cutting through the constant barrage of tasks, events, interruptions, and urgent requests.
What are the five priorities needed for organizational success? And, is there an optimal order?
Yes, there is an optimal order according to Brandon Schaeffer, creator of The Prioritized Leader training program. Initially inspired by the book “Freakonomics” and the book’s assertion that the world is way more complex than just dollars and cents, Brandon asked the question: “What are the essential priorities for business?” The answer:
- Purpose: It’s about knowing and living the “why” of your organization, being able to articulate a clear and compelling future. The currency is vision and values.
- People: The level of health and productivity we have with our colleagues and connections. The currency is encouragement and accountability.
- Pace: Discerning how fast (or slow) the organization needs to move to sustain long-term success, capitalize on opportunities, and preserve capital. The currency is time and energy.
- Perception: Choosing a growth mindset, staying open to creative solutions and new ideas. The currency is insight and innovation.
- Profit: The effective management, investment, and release of an organization’s resources. The currency is dollars and cents.
The success of any organization rises and falls on its leadership. We all know too well:
“As the leaders go, so goes the company.”
It is mission-critical, therefore, that individuals and teams do all they can to maximize strengths, build-up weaknesses, and identify blind-spots. It is only when leaders invest in the right priorities while keeping those priorities in the correct order, that true potential can be reached.
In closing, out of the chaos of the pandemic, it is encouraging to know there is a solution for organizations to reestablish order based on leadership principles that will last for the long run.