‘Have a bias toward action – let's see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away’. ~Indira Gandhi
In our experience of having worked with an average and high performing managers one of the biggest differentiator is their bias towards action. High performers are impatient and can’t wait to get started, have a can-do attitude, and a 'good as done' vision of success that drives them.
We have seen this value in lot of leaders across different companies and verticals but we see this very naturally in leaders of Unilever. Primary reason for that is the industry they operate in is fast paced where they can’t move forward without the sense of urgency and ability to take tough decisions. Another crucial reason why it’s a commonly found ingredient in almost all the leaders of Unilever is that candidates are assessed against their core values, one of them being Bias for Action and that’s what is ingrained in the culture of the company.
In the book, Screw it, Let’s do it, Richard Branson says that the little word “cannot” or “can’t” should not be something that stops you from doing what you really would love to do in your life. His strategy and motto in life are truly “screw it, let’s do it!”
Often we don’t take the step forward or the opportunity that comes our way because we fear failure, we anticipate the worst, we don’t know what to expect. In doing so and often by saying ‘no’ we miss out on lot of big picture opportunities.
Branson with his giant bias towards action believed that the impossible is generally just the untried. He says – “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!”
So are we really saying that we should jump into the act without any plans? Here is another thought from an inspirational man who inspired millions of people, Nelson Mandela: “Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision just passes the time, and vision with action can change the world.” Trying to get something done, but not having any kind of plan or idea what needs to be done or how to do it, is a real waste of time and energy. But he also concludes you probably seen someone who won’t get up and do anything, but has magnificent plans for how they could - its simply day dreaming.
David Maister in his book Strategy and the fat smoker says that personally and professionally, we already know what we should do: lose weight, give up smoking, and exercise more. Even in business – strategic plans are loaded with similar goals: Build client relationships, act like team player, and provide fulfilling, motivating careers.
We want the benefits of these things. We know what to do, we know why we should do it, and we know how to do it. Yet most businesses and individuals don’t do what’s good for them. We all know exercising will reward us a healthy living but going to the gym is mostly a New Year resolution that we never put into action.
Why we don’t do, David Maister asserts - The primary reason we do not work at behaviors which we know we need to improve is that the rewards (and pleasure) are in the future; the disruption, discomfort and discipline needed to get there are immediate.
Think back in your professional career – have you ever spotted a chance to do something valuable for the company- a project that would really shake things up – but for some reasons you did not purse it. Or you started but then gave up when you hit the first big roadblock. The real difference between the managers at most admired companies like Apple, Coca Cola, and PepsiCo etc. and the less successful ones is that despite all the knowledge and competence, despite having all the resources at their disposal the managers don’t move beyond their routine day to day tasks, most mangers don’t take the risk and do exceptional things that creates a company’s future.
We come across so many people in our work where either of the three attributes – Vision, Passion or Action would be missing. In our Singapore office we have named our training rooms by these 3 attributes which helps in reminding the people that you need all three working together in complete synchronicity in order to ensure that you are bringing your dreams to life.
I leave you with these words of great Steve Jobs who became the leader of Bias towards action and changed the world of technology- “If I try my best and fail, well, I have tried my best”
Do share your story where you acted upon something that changed your life.
From India, Delhi
15In our experience of having worked with an average and high performing managers one of the biggest differentiator is their bias towards action. High performers are impatient and can’t wait to get started, have a can-do attitude, and a 'good as done' vision of success that drives them.
We have seen this value in lot of leaders across different companies and verticals but we see this very naturally in leaders of Unilever. Primary reason for that is the industry they operate in is fast paced where they can’t move forward without the sense of urgency and ability to take tough decisions. Another crucial reason why it’s a commonly found ingredient in almost all the leaders of Unilever is that candidates are assessed against their core values, one of them being Bias for Action and that’s what is ingrained in the culture of the company.
In the book, Screw it, Let’s do it, Richard Branson says that the little word “cannot” or “can’t” should not be something that stops you from doing what you really would love to do in your life. His strategy and motto in life are truly “screw it, let’s do it!”
Often we don’t take the step forward or the opportunity that comes our way because we fear failure, we anticipate the worst, we don’t know what to expect. In doing so and often by saying ‘no’ we miss out on lot of big picture opportunities.
Branson with his giant bias towards action believed that the impossible is generally just the untried. He says – “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!”
So are we really saying that we should jump into the act without any plans? Here is another thought from an inspirational man who inspired millions of people, Nelson Mandela: “Vision without action is just a dream, action without vision just passes the time, and vision with action can change the world.” Trying to get something done, but not having any kind of plan or idea what needs to be done or how to do it, is a real waste of time and energy. But he also concludes you probably seen someone who won’t get up and do anything, but has magnificent plans for how they could - its simply day dreaming.
David Maister in his book Strategy and the fat smoker says that personally and professionally, we already know what we should do: lose weight, give up smoking, and exercise more. Even in business – strategic plans are loaded with similar goals: Build client relationships, act like team player, and provide fulfilling, motivating careers.
We want the benefits of these things. We know what to do, we know why we should do it, and we know how to do it. Yet most businesses and individuals don’t do what’s good for them. We all know exercising will reward us a healthy living but going to the gym is mostly a New Year resolution that we never put into action.
Why we don’t do, David Maister asserts - The primary reason we do not work at behaviors which we know we need to improve is that the rewards (and pleasure) are in the future; the disruption, discomfort and discipline needed to get there are immediate.
Think back in your professional career – have you ever spotted a chance to do something valuable for the company- a project that would really shake things up – but for some reasons you did not purse it. Or you started but then gave up when you hit the first big roadblock. The real difference between the managers at most admired companies like Apple, Coca Cola, and PepsiCo etc. and the less successful ones is that despite all the knowledge and competence, despite having all the resources at their disposal the managers don’t move beyond their routine day to day tasks, most mangers don’t take the risk and do exceptional things that creates a company’s future.
We come across so many people in our work where either of the three attributes – Vision, Passion or Action would be missing. In our Singapore office we have named our training rooms by these 3 attributes which helps in reminding the people that you need all three working together in complete synchronicity in order to ensure that you are bringing your dreams to life.
I leave you with these words of great Steve Jobs who became the leader of Bias towards action and changed the world of technology- “If I try my best and fail, well, I have tried my best”
Do share your story where you acted upon something that changed your life.
From India, Delhi
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Break.zip
Dispciplinary Action.doc
Salary Break Up.xlsx