So how do we get there?

At this point you have established where you want to go and have your team wanting to go there, too.  Step Three in Leadership Kinetics is developing an integrated plan on how to get there. Who should do what, where and when?  It is easy to say I have great people, so they will know what they should do.  Any uncertainty causes hesitation and extra clarification.  It also causes stress across teams where members thought the other person was going to do something which they do not, or are frustrated that they took unnecessary redundant actions.  Clarifying things upfront enables them move more efficiently.  I think this is what Abraham Lincoln meant with his quote “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”  Maybe four of six hours is overkill for fast paced start-up companies; spend at least an hour “sharpening the axe.”

Some say that if you make a plan the best you can achieve is the plan.  I see plans more dynamic than that.    An involved leader will go back and revise the plan if it is failing or if it is achieving better than expected results.  Integrated means tying the different elements together and keeping it current with results achieved. 

For small startup businesses, the need to plan grows with success.  If it is just you, you may be able remember what needs to be done in your head, but writing an action list helps.  Then it is you and your partner who talk enough to keep things on track.  Next you add more staff, a manager between you and the staff, and more locations.  Continuing to develop your planning approach and skills is critical to continued long-term growth and success.

The third step in Leadership Kinetics is to develop and maintain a clear, integrated plan.

Next we will deal with the resources necessary to implement the plan.