Bain & Co’s Advice To CEO’s
My Own Perspective
Own The Narrative
Create the story – now, perhaps more than ever, is the time when you need to give people (colleagues and clients) a clear current message but also remind them of your purpose and reasons to believe in the future.
Tell the story – and repeat and repeat and repeat!
Be the story – be visible and role model how you want people to be.
Drive Performance
Define performance – be clear and concise on what you expect – act quickly and boldly.
Measure performance – have as many antennae out as you can, seek and listen to external advice, be seen to be seeking feedback especially about people’s welfare.
Provoke performance – gather (even if virtually) your leadership team (Bain suggest creating a war cabinet). Expect and support people to lead.
Build The Ecosystem
Build the leadership team – don’t forget your reports will need guidance, feedback and coaching as much (or more) than ever. Over index on reinforcing the behaviours you want.
Set the rhythm – your current rhythm will be interrupted, create a new and relevant heartbeat for the organisation.
Nurture the culture – stand up for what you stand for. Your behaviour in the next few weeks will probably influence the culture for years ahead.
Leadership Quotes
Two of my favourite quotes come to mind:
‘ Deal with reality as it is, not as you want it to be.’ – Jack Welch
‘ Without vision, the people perish.’ – Proverbs
A Final Thought
I have spoken to six businesses since the end of last week, at least half of them can see a significant strategic opportunity that may come out of this (though that doesn’t take away their short term pain). Please feel free to share.
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