Book Summary: "The 4 Disciplines of Execution" by Sean Covey, Chris McChesney, and Jim Huling:

One of the all-time great books for getting stuff done.

This is part of the required reading for our leadership program and was a game changer for me when I first read it 10 years ago. It has informed how I approach every position I’ve held since.

Many have ideas. The difference makers execute and execute well.

Written: 2012

“The 4 Disciplines of Execution” is a simple, repeatable, and proven formula for executing your most important strategic priorities in the midst of the whirlwind. By following the 4 Disciplines —

1 Focus on the Wildly Important; 2 Act on The Lead Measures; 3 Keep a Compelling Scoreboard; 4 Create a Cadence of Accountability

— leaders can produce breakthrough results, even when executing the strategy requires a significant change in behavior from their teams.

Discipline 1: Focus on the Wildly Important

The first discipline is to identify the few things that are truly important and focus all of your energy on them. This means letting go of the less important things and saying no to them. It also means making sure that your team is aligned with your priorities.

Discipline 2: Act on the Lead Measures

The second discipline is to identify the lead measures that will indicate whether or not you are making progress on your wildly important goals. Lead measures are not the same as your goals. They are the things that you can control that will lead to your goals.

Discipline 3: Keep a Compelling Scoreboard

The third discipline is to create a compelling scoreboard that will track your progress on your lead measures. This scoreboard should be visible to everyone on your team and should be updated on a regular basis.

Discipline 4: Create a Cadence of Accountability

The fourth discipline is to create a cadence of accountability where you meet regularly with your team to discuss your progress and make adjustments as needed. This cadence should be consistent and should be held sacred.

By following these four disciplines, you can create a culture of high performance and execution in your organization.

Here are some additional tips:

• Make sure that your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

• Get everyone on your team aligned with your goals and priorities.

• Make sure that your lead measures are measurable and actionable.

• Keep your scoreboard up-to-date and visible to everyone on your team.

• Meet regularly with your team to discuss your progress and make adjustments as needed.

• Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures.

Great info, great book.