Customer Reviews

Closing the Execution Gap: How Great Leaders and Their Companies Get Results

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just when you think you have read everything about connecting Strategy to Execution, outcomes based thinking, implementing change successfully, ... along comes Rick Lepsinger with his amazing ideas on how successful organizations are successful because they are able to "bridge" the strategy / execution gap by choosing to build six important bridges ...

Bridge No. 1: Create and use action plans

Bridge No. 2: Expect and get top performance

Bridge No. 3: Hold people accountable

Bridge No. 4: Involve the right people in the right decisions

Bridge No. 5: Facilitate change readiness

Bridge No. 6: Enhance cooperation and collaboration

... although organizations may have great people, competencies, plans, tools, methods, and processes, they are still creating large gaps within their organizations, by not paying attention to these very critical elements, that enable a company to execute well.

Rick Lepsinger also describes the seven conflict management mistakes, which were my real nuggets from from this story-based expose (lots of great anecdotal stories in here about companies that build-bridges and companies that create-gaps):

Mistake 1. Minimizing or ignoring others' concerns

Mistake 2. Pulling power plays

Mistake 3. Attacking the legitimacy of others' positions or priorities

Mistake 4. Suppressing differences

Mistake 5. Imposing own goals/priorities

Mistake 6. Refusing to temporarily remove constraints

Mistake 7. Going through the motions of managing the difference, but refusing to carry it through

This is a incredible book and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to close these very significant gaps within their organization.

Mark Dochtermann, PMP, PMI-SP, MCITP

Advisicon Inc

Rick Lepsinger has once again brought a practical, common sense approach to solving business challenges and this time the focus is on actualizing a business strategy. The content is straight forward and easy to apply and provides the framework for a conversation among business colleagues that will change the way work is perceived and conducted. I highly recommend this book as a resource to read and re-read - once to familiarize yourself with the content, and again to reinforce the work that your team will most certainly aspire to.

Closing the Execution Gap offers research supported pragmatic methods for solving the issues that fact many of today's business leaders. Rick Lepsinger's advice is clear cut and easy to implement across a wide variety of industries. While other books promise, Lepsinger's book delivers, providing expert advice that the layman can execute.

Closing The Execution Gap provides a clear,practical and proven approach to moving from strategic intent to action and results. Unlike many on this topic, Lepsinger's book provides a "how to" guide. It is replete with steps, tools and tips to get things done and address the issues of engagement to decision making. I have used it effectively in my own consulting work and have suggested the book to clients grappling with the challenge of implementing strategy. I highly recommend it.

I've read many books attempting to address the need for implementing strategy. None have come close to addressing this important need until Lepsinger wrote Closing the Execution Gap. In my opinion this book is the magic bullet all managers have been looking for. It provides practical tools in a user-friendly format in which managers at any level in their organization can identify. It is obviously a very-well researched book that adds another level of credibility for the reader. Whether you are struggling with approaching strategy implementation or simply creating and implementing performance expectations, this book is a "must read".

Many of the books on strategy development and execution are "mechanical" in that the topic is presented as a "connect the dots" exercise with only cursory attention paid to the human element. Lepsinger does a great job recognizing that organizations are built of flesh and blood people with ambitions, fears, insecurities and agendas to promote. Rick addresses the "people" element head-on and combines practical experience with research-based facts to offer a template for successful strategy execution. I highly recommend Closing the Execution Gap!

When I was promoted to manager of my team I instantly became accountable for day-to-day execution. Although I had a sense of what to do Closing the Execution Gap filled in a lot of the blanks. The book helped me understand why people behave in a way that can derail effective execution and it provided concrete and practical actions I could take to prevent these issues from occurring and to deal with them if they do occur. The book has become indispensable and I refer to it regularly. It's a must read for anyone who's responsible for achieving consistent results.

The timing of this book is perfect. Getting things done and delivering consistent results is always important and it is even more essential in today's challenging economic environment. But it's been hard to find a clearly written, straight talking resource that both senior and middle managers can use until Closing the Execution Gap. The author clearly explains what gets in the way of effective execution and what we can do about it. I found it to be the perfect handbook to guide me through the rough water of day-to-day execution.

This book is actuallly helpful. The style is crisp and clear. The book is loaded with pratical tips and specific "how to" advice. Anyone who is responsible for getting things done and delivering results will find "Closing the Execution Gap" a great resource.

I recommend this book, because, among other things, it is highly readable and very practical. The bridge builders do ultimately lead to success if properly executed. This takes discipline, focus, and in many cases the courage to lead.