Situation

Develop the ability to think strategically, execute, and motivate others.

Approach

Week I focused on gaining a better strategic perspective about the business as a whole, including opportunities, risks and future challenges. Using predefined drivers of external change, the group developed brief scenarios and examined strategic alternatives for the business. Then, regardless of which scenario best depicted a strong competitive future position, the group focused on the key short-term actions that needed to be taken immediately to put the business in the strongest possible competitive position.

Senior level executives participated in town hall like sessions where they discussed their perspectives on major issues. Other topics were included to deepen understanding of the strategic agenda. Those topics included taking a strategic view of financial performance, broadening global economic perspectives and managing stress in times of chaos.

Between Week I and Week II, teams were charged with taking key messages back into the organization through forums such as town halls and team meetings.

Week II focused on sharpening the ability to execute and lead effectively. Topics included building an innovative culture, making change happen, managing conflict, creating dialogue to resolve substantive issues, influencing without authority, enhancing emotional intelligence. A former CEO of a well known company presented a real life case. The results of the 360-degree assessment of leadership skills and the self-assessments on conflict skills and emotional intelligence were reviewed in-depth. Also included were peer feedback and one-on-one coaching sessions.

Two 4½ day programs

Results

• Participants had to take a view of the corporation from a higher level; that is, from the position of an Executive Committee member rather than from their current position in a silo, region or function.
• Leaders took stock of what was working well and what could be adjusted in order to achieve better results.
• Each leader left with a clear action agenda.