Execution Tip: Think about the impact of “Quality” on Execution Excellence

by Dr. Brian Higley

December 26th, 2009

Another critical component of Execution Excellence is the ability to not only complete SMART Goals on deadline, but to also do this with true Quality on a regular basis. The ability to do so begins with a commitment to Quality, is strengthened by becoming clear about what Quality looks like (with others if you are working on something that includes other stakeholders) and is further fortified by persistence until the job is done extremely well (rather than giving up before true Quality is achieved).

For example, the goal “Take out all trash every Wednesday before 9AM” is more likely to be achieved in Quality ways if the person in charge of this goal is:

1. committed to doing a Quality job,
2. asks any others who are also involved for their ideas on true Quality and
3. continues to develop a way in which to achieve the goal in Quality ways until almost all parties are truly satisfied (please note the “almost all parties” in the last sentence; one cannot please all the people all the time).

On the other hand, if the goal is pursued without these critical components, it is less likely to be completed with true Quality.  Furthermore, if one such goal is completed at low levels of Quality, it becomes much more acceptable to achieve others goals with low Quality.  Failure to achieve with true Quality can quickly spread the Execution Crisis throughout your life and the lives of those around you (in the form of multiple revisions and/or the need for complete”do-overs”).  The ability to deliver true Quality is a critical skill associated with spreading Execution Excellence.  On the other hand,inability to do so is another powerful contributor to the Execution Crisis.

• NOTE TO THOSE USING THE MISSION FULFILLMENT SYSTEM: A common indicator of high levels of Quality is a combination of (a) more SMART Goals achieved that one is truly proud of and/or excited about and (b) fewer instances of time- and energy-sapping revisions or do-overs.  For instance, if one consistently achieves the SMART Goal “Take out all trash every Wednesday before 9AM” with true Quality, that person is more likely to be proud of his work and to hear fewer requests for doing his work differently next time or redoing it now (indicating Execution Excellence).  Obviously, a lack of Quality is a major block to Execution Excellence.  It is critical that people be able to achieve their SMART Goals with true Quality; an inability to do so contributes greatly to The Execution Crisis.
• FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT ON THE MISSION FULFILLMENT SYSTEM: Click here to for more information and click here to sign up.

FINAL NOTE: If you were linked to this article by a video or email, please return to that link and proceed with any other instructions that you deem helpful.  For more Execution Excellence tips and tools visit our site at: www.excellencetree.com

Article Filed under: CACE GAMEE Scorecard Tips