So, how can we succeed more often?
There is one essential element of success that is too often unknown, under-appreciated, and poorly executed by key decision makers. That element is called “The Technical Right to Succeed.”
Here are some keys to this element of success:
Whenever leaders choose to undertake an initiative, the eventual outcome is that they are either going to succeed or fail.
True leaders consider “partial success” to be a euphemistic term for failure.
As an initiative is being planned, leaders and other key stakeholders who control vital resources should consciously understand what human resources, tools, equipment, training, planning, funding, and timeline must be provided to the team from the very beginning in order for the team to have a good chance of succeeding without having to depend upon luck.
This complete set of vital resources is called “The Technical Right to Succeed.”
Without having the Technical Right to Succeed, the team is forced to rely upon its own luck, the misfortune of its adversary, and/or divine intervention.
As you, your teams, and your organizations are planning and preparing to undertake improvement initiatives, I highly encourage you to first gather all key stakeholders and consciously provide those who are going to do the work with the Technical Right to Succeed.
A couple of examples:
- If your mission requires coordination of multiple, dispersed groups, widespread internal and external communication, marketing, and rapid response and decision making, you cannot possibly have the Technical Right to Succeed unless your team is equipped with the latest internet-based communications infrastructure and tools.
- If you are competing to win customers and your competitor gets face-to-face with those customers frequently while you sit at home calling them on the phone or sending them faxes, you don’t have the Technical Right to Succeed.
As you move forward I hope that the term “Technical Right to Succeed” will become part of your organization’s vocabulary. But more importantly, I hope it will become a key contributor to your successful culture.
Interested in reading more? Check out the first part of this article…
What resources and tools are you providing to your leadership team and stakeholders that is providing a competitive advantage?