Keynote Summary - The Anderson Inc, April 8, 2022

 
 

Mission Driven High Performance

Presentation summary:

 Mission Key points:

  • Co-create the plan – no one ever leaves the OPORD saying, “This will never work!”

  • Trust – from planning to execution, we Trust everyone to do their part – our lives depend on it!

  • I got your back – nothing signals Trust like literally checking each other’s lifesaving equipment.

  • Learning Organizations conduct After Action Review for ALL operations – success and failures.

  • A coaching mindset energizes your team. What am I missing? I really want to hear what ideas all of you have?

 Innovation is a Mindset.

High Performing Teams know that their competitive advantage is their ability to adapt rapidly – everyone must be looking for ways for the organization to improve.

  • A Mindset of Operational Curiosity looks for opportunities that can better achieve the desired outcome – less resources, reduced risk, and higher return on investment (Double Loop Learning).

  • Success is often the greatest impediment to adapting – just ask Blockbuster.

Think / Act Unconstrained.

Organizations that have a Yes, And mindset build on ideas and do not care who gets the credit. These organizations solve unconstrained in order to get the best ideas on the table.

  • Yes And, by Kelly Leonard and Second City Improv is a great read to share with your organization.

  • The best ideas are not attributed to any one person; the entire team has their “finger prints” on it.

Redefine the We.

The most successful organization do not have an A-Team and B-Team – they have the Team.

  • One’s proximity to the “fight” does not define one’s level of contribution.

  • High Performing teams acknowledge and celebrate everyone’s contribution to the mission.

  • In NSW, when the Operators (who assault targets) embraced the Intelligence specialists (who found the targets), the entire organization improved.

Better You – Better We.

Organizations that focus on continuous learning and development create High Performing Teams.

  • Development is part of the workflow, not a thing that happens on the side. The best development is anchored into a culture of commitment (drive to improve) no compliance (have to attend a workshop).

  • In NSW, we provided lots of opportunity and autonomy for operators to improve. From hiring world-class instructors to attending a diversity of courses across the military and civilian institutes.

Warrior Mindset.

Aggressively attack your challenges – control your outcomes.

  • Do not be a spectator waiting for things to happen.

  • Be the Warrior – Not the Victim.

Stronger Together - Culture of inclusivity.

Organizations that cultivate leaders and teams that share and support each other, out perform myopic “Silos of Excellence”. Everyone wants to be part of the Team. Language matters – look to any professional sports team as the model. They use Slogans, Logos, and Mascots to build camaraderie.

  • Celebrate “cross-domain” collaboration – Senior leaders must model behavior and collaborative language.

  • Who are you? Employees, Associates, Teammates? Be deliberate of your descriptors.

***KIM’S Game. Leadership is a Team Sport – only a fool would go it alone. The world is too complex for any leader (regardless of title or tenure) to not leverage your team. A coaching mindset energizes your team!

 

LeaderJay Hennessey