Synergy of Execution and Communication equals Success

The climate of business in general in the United States is rapidly changing. As most of us realize, technology is changing daily, competition is getting much more challenging and expectations of performance is increasing more rapidly today than in the decade previous.

First, let us take on the word execution. It again is used over and over again in the corporate culture as a term to describe the decrease of compliance on corporate programs, initiatives and more specifically the daily functions of employees at all levels. Executing strategic corporate initiatives can carry more weight today as the climate and culture of corporate America becomes more challenging. Execution is the ever-popular catch phrase that everyone is using to describe the performance of our stars and identify opportunities in our problem employees.

How can we embrace execution to not only develop the culture of shrink reduction in our current roles but to make corporate America more profitable?

The answer to this, although not simple, starts with our own execution. Being able to execute on our jobs more effectively and efficiently is the first step. If we can’t execute ourselves how can we lead others to victory?

I believe the backbone of execution lives within 4 principles: leadership, training, motivating and disciplining.

Some people are quick to point fingers at the “other guy” rather than looking at themselves in the mirror. We need to realize that we can’t fix our teams, our shrink or our relationships unless we are fixed first. Fixing ourselves starts with the identification of the real issues that we have. We need to look deep inside ourselves and be brutally honest with ourselves. Are we managing our time effectively, are we being a good coach for our people, are we completing our tasks, are we leading by example, etc? These questions are easy if you don’t take the time for self-analysis and on the contrary are very difficult if we are honest with ourselves. By the way, if we cannot be honest with ourselves regarding our own performance how does this play into us being honest with our team members?

Reality is that we are much like the rudder of the organization we manage and lead. If we are not working properly, a strong engine and a good compass will not get you to your destination. We steer the organization into success, with our success comes great guidance and a great team which will lead an organization to victory.

The second key to success in any function is the ability to effectively communicate. This is not just in writing or verbally with co-workers, but in front of audiences, executives and through your actions. Effective communication is a much forgotten skill that people have the perception they possess but in all reality, they fall short at the finish line. From years of experience interviewing Loss Prevention Professionals, it has become relatively easy to pick out the “talkers” from the “doers” and hand pick the really talented producers. Communication is the one key that will catapult your career in the direction that you want. If you are not continuously refining your vocabulary or practicing your presentation skills, you will be left at the end of the line. Being able to articulate ideas to professionals of all levels in critical!

How does one become a superior communicator? There are two “simple” answers to this question. The first is to educate your self and buy yourselves the ammunition to be a great communicator. You can utilize workshops, seminars and books. A great way is to join your local “Toast Masters” (www.toastmasters.org). People that have been a member for some time are excellent communicators. As a side note, this organization sometimes puts people on the spot to talk to groups of people, if you are not comfortable with this aspect, this organization is not for you, but if you never join you will not get the advantages of the organization, which are substantially more than the disadvantages.

The second thing that must be done to become a great communicator is practice. You must practice anything you learn and apply it. The great public speaker Tony Robbins once stated, “Repetition is the mother of skill”, which simply put is that the more your do something, the better you will be at it. It is much like lifting weights or working out. If you work out three times per week for a year, you will condition your muscles, which in return will make you stronger. However if you worked out three times per week for a year and then quit, but decided a year later to go back, you will start out where you were at the beginning of your initial weight training.

Josh McAfee C.F.I

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