Does your organisation provide the space for people to ask the question, not what is, but what could be? Does your organisation have the emergent qualities necessary to adapt?
- Do you build sustainable relationships with your people?
Organisations that prosper over the long term don’t just offer best value, they offer genuine affection for people and palpable devotion to their staff and customers.
- Does your strategy indicate your unique contribution?
Behind the success of the leading-edge organisations are strategic ideas that challenge the status quo in their sector. That’s why so many organisations that are leaders today were once dismissed as mavericks, wild cards or insurgents. The acid test for sustainable success is the courage to lead.
“It’s lonely getting to the future first.” – Meg Wheatley
- Are you a fun place to work and a fun organisation to do business with?
The most productive organisations tend to be the most playful organisations. People are most committed to workplaces that don’t feel like work – where they feel a part of something, where they are valued as people, where they can laugh as well as work very hard.
- Can you weather turbulence and uncertainty?
Ongoing reshaping of your business strategy is the hallmark of success in turbulent, uncertain times. Leading organisations manage what emerges from turbulence whilst maintaining a strong focus on their sense of purpose and their vision.
- Are you clear what your organisation stands for?
More and more, people are looking to work for and buy from organisations that have a clear set of values, which truly inform their practice and bring to life a noble vision for a better future.
- Do you manage the paradox of innovation?
The ability to manage creativity in a disciplined way may seem like a contradiction in terms; however it is what successful, innovative organisations do. They remain focused on measuring current inputs and outputs, whilst leaving space for creative thinking and meaningful dreaming. The one supports the other, depends on the other, and informs the other.
- Do you attract and keep the best in the talent pool?
It is widely accepted that if you want to fill your organisation with great ideas, you need to foster creative people – and if you want to keep your customers happy, you need people who are happy and willing to go the extra mile. Successful organisations understand both these principles, which is why they treat the human side of enterprise just as seriously, rigorously and creatively as they treat finance, production or marketing.
- Do you realise that technology is enabling the new knowledge workers?
Many organisations have lost their zeal for technology driven transformation, but those who have kept the faith believe that the Internet remains the most powerful enabler for global networks. It transforms how people work together, how companies interact with customers, and the economics of entire industries. It satisfies the need for speed and the explosive demands for lifelong learning, especially for busy people. It does not replace the human touch – it augments it.
- Does your organisation have a hunger for change?
Change weariness will slow your growth and stunt innovation. Successful organisations understand the need for speed and the cost of hesitation and delay – whether it is responding to a customer complaint or launching a new product or service. Managing and supporting your people in order to maintain motivation and grow creative spirit is a critical factor in keeping ahead and maintaining your unique proposition.
- Are you building a leaderful organisation?
More has been written about leadership in organisations than any other business topic. What all successful companies know is that you must have confident and committed leaders embedded deeply throughout the whole organisation. An organisation lead by people at every level who are visionary, decisive, creative, courageous and authentic is very hard to beat.
If you feel there is room for improvement in any of these areas, CfOD can help. Get in contact with us on 03 9645 4466 or info@cfod.com.au to discuss how we can facilitate the advancement of your organisation and staff.