Leading Strategy Execution [Paperback]

Richard McKnight (Author), Tom Kaney (Contributor), Shannon Breuer (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2010

Far more than half of the strategic plans created every year fail to deliver the results expected from them. This book will tell you how to beat those odds whether your plan is modest or sweeping in scope. The Holy Grail of strategy execution is getting everyone in the organization to understand, feel enthusiastic about, and take action in alignment with the company's strategy. Most leaders know that when people comprehend the big picture, they make better decisions concerning their own piece of the action. This book will tell you how to accomplish all of this. It will be useful to anyone who has responsibility for turning an organizational vision into a reality, whether as the head of a large, complex corporation or as a manager at the middle-level. Drawing on examples of strategy execution efforts that aligned senior teams, fully engaged employees, and matched organizational capabilities to strategy, this book provides down-to-earth guidance in how to do the work of strategy execution.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

This richly illustrated book is for anyone who has a dream and wishes to fulfill it, but whose aspirations require the support of others. Most approaches to strategy implementation fail because strategy is created at one level (the top) and handed off to another (the middle and bottom). Consequently, everyone is frustrated. To improve strategy implementation, you have to do what we call "The Four Jobs of Strategy Execution" and involve employees in creating and carrying out the strategy. 
Contents

1. Execution is Everything
   
2. Change or Die
   
3. The Human Side of Strategy
   
4. Winning Minds (Job One)
   
5. Winning Hearts (Job Two)
   
6. Aligning Local Effort (Job Three)
   
7. Designing Your Organization (Job Four) 
   
8. Strategy Maps
   
9. Right People, Right Place, Doing the Right Things
   
10. Aligning the Senior Team 
    
11. HR's Role in Strategy Execution
    
12. Leading Strategy Execution

From the Back Cover

Any executive or manager concerned with strategy execution should read this book. The authors tell you how to build a comprehensive strategy execution roadmap that deploys strategy throughout the organization and fits the organization to it.
--Dan Phelan, Chief of Staff, GlaxoSmithKline
 
The model is understandable, sound in theory and offers great practical tools and tips.  I also found Leading Execution inspiring as it offers a realistic plan leaders can implement to effect system-wide change. 

--Dave Bolz, Senior HR professional
  
Most strategy books focus on the easy part of strategy: generating a future vision. Leading Strategy Execution focuses on the hard work of strategy: getting the organization to deliver great results. If you're looking for practical, clear advice on improving strategy implementation, read this book! 

--Tom Mercer VP, Strategy Management, GlaxoSmithKline
 
This books puts it all together! It is pragmatic, readable, and realistic. The authors offer tools, stories, and sound advice based on their years of experience...an exceptionally valuable read.
--Linda Ackerman Anderson, author of The Change Leader's Roadmap
 
This much needed resource provides an enormously helpful set of ideas and applications. It enables leaders to successfully navigate the waters of strategy execution. 

--James F. Grady, PhD, SVP, California Casualty Management Company

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Richard McKnight & Associates (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982468318
• ISBN-13: 978-0982468319
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #493,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard McKnight (1947- ) grew up in Helena, MT and has lived for 30 years in Philadelphia, PA. He is a consultant who supports individuals and organizations as they make accelerated strategic change. For 30 years, he has worked with clients providing a variety of services in support of strategy execution. Those services include executive coaching, leadership development, strategic visioning, top team alignment, and organization design. He has a doctorate in organizational psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. McKnight's work focuses on realigning internal functioning with the demands of the external marketplace. He is skilled in quickly enabling large numbers of employees to
understand and embrace a company's new strategy, in aligning work unit effort with the strategy, and in fostering cross-divisional collaboration.

Rick speaks and publishes on the topics of strategy implementation, leadership, and organizational change. He is the author of Victim, Survivor, or Navigator? Choosing a Response to Workplace Change and is completing a new book, Leading Strategy Execution, with Tom Kaney and Shannon Breuer.

web sites: richardmcknight.com and mkbpartners.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Applied Strategic Thinking, July 23, 2010

By 

Paul Hilt (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leading Strategy Execution (Paperback)

In my library, I've many books on organizational change and strategic planning. Unfortunately, far too many books get bogged down in the conceptual realm. The books I return to again and again are the ones that provide both big-picture and ground-level views. "Leading Strategy Execution" is one of those books. While reading it, I enjoyed the engaging mix of what the 30,000 foot level looks like, explicit processes and steps to take action (amply illustrated with actual stories), and numerous nuggets of experience-based suggestions and perspectives. I particularly like the many charts, tables, and diagrams which concisely summarize the meat of the narrative. Finally, I appreciate the many references to outside research which anchor the authors' content in a very grounded manner. I highly recommend this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for leaders of non-profit human services agencies, July 10, 2010

By 

John Naegele (Graham, WA, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leading Strategy Execution (Paperback)

I am only 1/3 of the way through the book and already implementing the strategies and activities. As the Director of a Head Start program, I find Dr. McKnight's insights, tools, and activities so helpful with my Leadership Team as we develop and implement our 3-year plan. I am recommending this book to the CEO of our agency for use with her Vice Presidents and Board.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be careful what you wish for..., July 8, 2010

By 

Cathryn Campbell "Principal, BeDoThrive LLC" (Swarthmore, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leading Strategy Execution (Paperback)

With Leading Strategy Execution, you are like to get it! McKnight, Kaney and Breuer have put together a powerful and eminently practical guide to turning strategic vision into actual business results. Leading Strategy Execution is full of wisdom, real life examples and practical action steps that will empower business leaders to align their organizations and engage their employees' passions and discretionary efforts toward achieving meaningful strategic objectives. Through alignment and engagement, you'll be able to unleash the untapped potential in your organization and enable your strategy to become reality.