Client List
Observations From Recent
Executive Teaching
Action Learning
Beyond Smart Talk

OBSERVATIONS FROM RECENT EXECUTIVE TEACHING

The Basics Work

The basics of managing—selecting the right people, rewarding high performance, having consequences for missed goals—are highly effective. Many managers fail because they do not execute on the basics.

Blind Spots Matter

Executives under-perform and often fail by not realistically coming to terms with their own shortcomings. Management development is an ongoing learning process. Top teams work better when general managers make their thinking explicit and transparent. As project teams that are cross functional become a bigger part of how work gets done, GMs need to be clear on the thinking that underpins their actions. Young managers need to translate that thinking into well-defined projects. As they mature, managers need to become more effective executive sponsors and find the middle ground between abdicating responsibility and micro-managing.

Culture Matters

Good GMs have a sense of how fast or how slow to proceed with change based on the culture of the organization they lead.

If the change agenda exceeds the capacity for change, the organization could get stuck as is the case currently with Ford.

‘Managing’ Professionals May Be An Oxymoron

The best outcomes from professional individuals or groups are achieved when they are given autonomy and clear end-states and goals to work toward, supported by a performance-driven reward system.

Great Managers Are Good Teachers

Great managers have a teachable point of view, are reflective, (but are not narcissistic) and develop the talent base of their organizations.

True North Advisory Group
267.626.7554
joeryan@truenorthjr.com