Executives Today Lack Strategic Management Training

A Harvard Business Review article “Why Few Executives are Skillful Managers” made the following points: “despite the billions of dollars, euros, and yen invested in coaching and management development, remarkably few executives can be regarded as skillful managers.” I figure that the majority of top level managers with responsibility for large teams either do not possess the required skillsets — or they just don’t practice what they preach. Why? There are three main reasons. First, pressure to deliver results with too little time make it nearly impossible for business leaders to consider consequnese, reflect and apply the best action. Secondly, budget constraints can limit support and follow-through of even the best intentions. Finally, behavioral change is difficult — it’s all too easy for a development plan to slip to the bottom of the to-do list.” The article suggested the following development areas: delegation, management distance, visibility, work-life balance, and continuous learning and reflection.

Consider this…
I do not disagree with the issue of executives making skillful managers; however, I have some other thoughts on what should be done to address the problem. Many Executives would do a better job if they adopted the philosophy of the 3 Rs of business; i.e., everyone doing the Right things, and doing them Right, at the Right time. This management system needs to be different than the establishment of somewhat arbitrary goals throughout the organization for departments without a structure plan for determining what will be done differently to determine how the goals are to be met. Additionally, this management system must address the implementation of strategies that lead to targeted efforts that are in line with the financial needs of the company.

Many organizations have scorecards, strategic planning, and business improvement systems that Executives operate within that can lead to very unhealthy behaviors. These issues with resolution are described in “The Elephant in the Room: Corporate Performance Management Issues and its Reinvention, Going Beyond Lean Six Sigma and the Balanced Scorecard”.

With the linked described system, Executives would now have a structured framework for them to operate within that cannot be gamed. Lean Six Sigma consulting and/or coaching would provide more of a structure for what they should be doing to be successful operating their businesses within this infrastructure.

For more information you can also visit http://www.ieeblackbelt.com.

Tagged with: ieeblackbelt • Six Sigma Black Belt • Smarter Solutions • wisdom on the green

Filed under: Business Process Improvement

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