When you are leading or managing in an organisation, it can often feel like the challenges you face are so large that they seem impossible.
So what’s the key to achieving great results despite what can seem like a huge challenge?
Essentially it is about taking the big challenge and breaking it down into smaller chunks.
Let’s imagine you are tasked with achieving some sort of a major change.
The first thing that you want to do is get crystal clear about the end result that you want to achieve. Sometimes this can be much more difficult than it first appears. So often people are vague about the outcome they want to achieve. What I have found useful is to write out, often in long form, what is going to be different when the result is achieved. Writing this out generally results in several outcomes being generated.
Secondly, you want to be thinking about the key building blocks that you need to work on. Staying with our example of change, you might need to do some sort of diagnosis, option identification, option consideration or evaluation, determine priorities and secure buy-in amongst others. In effect, you are laying the foundations.
Thirdly, you want to be setting out some of the critical success factors under each of the key building blocks. These are the things that you need to get right in order to achieve the result or results that you need to achieve.
Finally, you need to set out some of the initial key steps or actions that you need to take to move on towards the result.
The Bottom Line: Achieving anything of significance is always going to be a huge challenge. Breaking down that challenge can greatly increase your chances of success.
Duncan Brodie helps accountants to deliver more success by being more effective leaders and managers. Learn more here
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.