Four Disciplines of Goal Setting and Execution
Randy Claybrook
June 19, 2008
Four Disciplines of Execution and Goal Setting
Prepared for Professor David Futrell, PhD
Summer I, 2009
MBA 410 Organizational Behavior
Butler University
Four Disciplines of Execution and Goal Setting
Most highly successful organizations have SMART* goals which include performance measures. The problem with such goals, once they are established, is they use lagging indicators to track success after the fact. The Four Disciplines of Execution emphasizes an ongoing methodology to focus attention on critical goals, leading indicators and associated tasks that drive goal attainment. * Specific - goals written or verbalized that have value or purpose * Measurable – goals are quantified * Activity (Map) – small tasks (My Action Plan) that are necessary * Realistic – goals are conceivable, believable and realistically achievable * Time line – a definite finish line focuses tasks and energy levels. Goals without a deadline are also known as dreams.
The Four Disciplines of Execution is an insightful training program created by Franklin Covey. This report summarizes many of the points learned during a three-hour seminar on June 9 in addition to MBA coursework for Organizational Behavior taken at Butler University.
Four Disciplines goes beyond the SMART goals. Four Disciplines is about daily and weekly execution by the team members that can influence the outcomes. High performing teams execute goals and achieve greatness because of a shared vision, committed interdependence, mutual trust, accountability, and a high degree of personal pride.
Highly effective leaders plan or create strategies to transform their organizations. They have a vision and passion to create opportunities and lead their teams up mountains to achieve higher success. Mac Shane & Gilnow (page 417) define four elements of transformational leadership as: 1. Create a strategic vision – a realistic and attractive future valued
June 19, 2008
Four Disciplines of Execution and Goal Setting
Prepared for Professor David Futrell, PhD
Summer I, 2009
MBA 410 Organizational Behavior
Butler University
Four Disciplines of Execution and Goal Setting
Most highly successful organizations have SMART* goals which include performance measures. The problem with such goals, once they are established, is they use lagging indicators to track success after the fact. The Four Disciplines of Execution emphasizes an ongoing methodology to focus attention on critical goals, leading indicators and associated tasks that drive goal attainment. * Specific - goals written or verbalized that have value or purpose * Measurable – goals are quantified * Activity (Map) – small tasks (My Action Plan) that are necessary * Realistic – goals are conceivable, believable and realistically achievable * Time line – a definite finish line focuses tasks and energy levels. Goals without a deadline are also known as dreams.
The Four Disciplines of Execution is an insightful training program created by Franklin Covey. This report summarizes many of the points learned during a three-hour seminar on June 9 in addition to MBA coursework for Organizational Behavior taken at Butler University.
Four Disciplines goes beyond the SMART goals. Four Disciplines is about daily and weekly execution by the team members that can influence the outcomes. High performing teams execute goals and achieve greatness because of a shared vision, committed interdependence, mutual trust, accountability, and a high degree of personal pride.
Highly effective leaders plan or create strategies to transform their organizations. They have a vision and passion to create opportunities and lead their teams up mountains to achieve higher success. Mac Shane & Gilnow (page 417) define four elements of transformational leadership as: 1. Create a strategic vision – a realistic and attractive future valued