What Successful Executives Do Differently: Part II

In a Harvard Business Review video, leadership consultant, Ron Carucci, claims that 50-60% of executives fail in their first executive role. He studied successful executives to find what they did differently.

Carucci discovered four key factors. The second factor in our series is “Context.” Successful executives do the work necessary to gain understanding of trends in their culture, industry, and within their organization.

Companies operate as part of a business ecosystem. To be successful you have to understand where you fit in. Having context will enable you to make wiser and more informed choices.

In 1 Chronicles 12:32, the author credits one family with understanding the importance of context when he wrote, “The sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do.”

In 1 Chronicles 12, David is going to war against King Saul in order to turn the Kingdom of Israel back over to David. All the other clans brought soldiers or supplies, but Issachar brought knowledge. The soldiers and supplies were necessary. However, they would be useless without direction.

Executives have to be tacticians. If you’re in a new role, invest time in studying trends and gaining context so you can better serve your organization.

Questions for Reflection

• From which trade periodicals or associations are you gaining knowledge? What are the changing needs of your customers? What are the industry trends in which you are behind? What changes do you expect to impact your business over the next three years?
• How is your industry doing right now? Is it declining or increasing? Is it in need of a makeover? How could you adapt to protect the longevity of your business? What is going well? What shouldn’t you change?