Leaders Should Sweat the Small Stuff

Almost every day we read about a CEO ouster, a logo change that backfires, or a product launch that fails to live up to its hype.

As a young sailor, I was taught how to salute properly, and how to wear my dress blues and summer whites correctly. Later, as a naval officer I was reminded regularly that details matter, and can be the difference between life and death. It should be no different in business – business leaders need to learn early to “sweat the details”.

From my more than three decades in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, it has been my experience that the reasons for most failed executions are one or more of the following:

Hi there! This article is available for free. Login or register as a StrategyDriven Personal Business Advisor Self-Guided Client by:

Subscribing to the Self Guided Program - It's Free!

About the Author

Ritch K. Eich is the former Chief of Public Affairs for Blue Shield of CA and is a Captain, U.S. Naval Reserve (Ret.). He is the author of three books: Truth, Trust + Tenacity: How Ordinary People Become Extraordinary Leaders (2015); Leadership Requires Extra Innings: Lessons on Leading from a Life in the Trenches (2013); Real Leaders Don’t Boss: Inspire, Motivate, and Earn Respect from Employees and Watch Your Organization Soar (2012).

Related content from StrategyDriven

 

Comprehensive Product or Service Launch Planning Checklist

Principles for Responding to Black Swan Events

Protocols for Responding to Black Swan Events

Common Overlooked Controllable Information Technology Costs