The Drumbeat

Hello Friends,

I have been negligent in writing. I have no excuse! I used to have the energy and time to post twice per week. And now...well, I won't even count the weeks since I last posted. I guess I have been busy with things at work. I know, I know...who isn't? But my job here in Afghanistan is somewhat consuming. But it is also fertile ground for learning more about leadership. So, it is not for a lack of stuff to talk about. It is mostly from a lack of energy to put this stuff in writing.

This has been an amazing opportunity for me. As most of you know, I am deployed to Afghanistan, serving with the Army Corps of Engineers as the Commander (CEO) of a $5B construction company. We have an incredible workload and doing it in an environment where every project has a story. They are all difficult: rough terrain, many inexperienced contractors, and of course, the presence of bad guys who don't want this program to succeed.

But the bottom line is, we have to win. That means we've got to accomplish our mission. No matter what! We are climbing a mountain that is almost vertical, increasing our output in every part of our program. We have to find a way to push ourselves to levels we didn't think possible. We have to change our tactics, find efficiencies, and blow through obstacles that will undoubtedly be found along the way.

Our overall strategy is simple: Meet our commitments; deliver finished projects; and Build projects while building capacity within the Engineering and Construction community of this country. There are no excuses! Every day matters. Every person contributes. We have to do whatever it takes to get the job done!

My former boss and great mentor and friend, Randy Castro, called this a drumbeat. To accomplish a large vision or tackle an insurmountable task requires consistent focus on the main elements that contribute to success. There are many important tasks (projects). They all must be accomplished. But the team needs to know where their piece fits in the overall picture. They need to hear the drumbeat over and over. This is the vision and this is how we will get there!

Our teammates need to hear and understand this drumbeat. Why is it important? How will we get there? How does what they do...fit into the overall mission? How do they get in step with the beat of the drum? This is what I cover every single day with my senior leaders. It affects what we measure. It shapes our calendars and meetings. It is what I talk to my team about at every forum (town hall sessions, video interviews, emails, project visits, etc.).

It's a drumbeat. Over and over again -- this is what we are doing, this is where we stand now, and this is what we need to do to be successful, to accomplish the mission, to win! Meet our commitments; Deliver finished projects; and build projects while building capacity within the Engineering and Construction community of this country. Hear the drumbeat: boom...boom...boom! Always the same beat, same rhythm, and the same message.

So...what is your drumbeat? If you had to summarize what success looks like into short sentences, sound bites, or milestones...what would they be? Would your teammates know that is what is important? Would they be able to repeat the drumbeat. Truth be told, that is the goal. We should hear it wherever we go within the organization, everyone focused on the same thing. The drumbeat...over and over.

We can't be all over the place. As leaders, we must be consistent. The drumbeat is what helps people understand the vision, share our passion or our sense of urgency, and focus on those difference making contributions that add up to overall victory. It keeps people marching to the beat, everyone in step, all headed in the same direction.

As we head into 2011, let's do it with a drumbeat. I told you mine. You tell me yours! That is what it will take to overcome obstacles, find victories in this tough economy, and to keep people focused on the prize. Beat the drum -- over and over. That should make for a successful, prosperous New Year. Forward...march!!! Happy New Year everyone!!

Credits go to "Tim" for the image at the top of this post!

StratComms

OK...I have been delinquent! I know I have not posted in a while. Have no doubt that there is plenty of learning about leadership going on here in Afghanistan. I guess I have been too lazy to write it down and share it with others. No excuse! It is hard to believe that I have almost been here for a full month. Time flies when you are having fun!

We have an incredibly difficult, complex mission. This year we will do about $900M in construction payments and award over $1.3B in new contracts. Next year, somehow, we are looking at over $2.5B in new contract awards. Every job here is difficult with harsh terrain, a hostile enemy and, in many cases, construction contractors who just don't have the maturity that we would expect to work with in the Army Corps of Engineers. Nonetheless, we are getting it done. We don't have a choice!

One of the many leadership issues I have been working with my new team is on the issue of strategic communications. We get so busy doing our work that we forget that a major component of success is gained through telling others what we are doing. I use the analogy of -- If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear it, does it make any noise? All too often, we miss out on opportunities to shape our message, to get the word out on the great work we do. And if we don't, very often someone else seizes on the chance to tell their own story. Often times, their motivations are counter to our own. We might finish the project, the tree may fall, but no one may know of the positive difference we are making and the contributions we are making toward our strategic goals.

Every action we take in business is an opportunity to tell our story. In construction it includes the award of a new contract, the breaking of ground, major progress or a major milestone, and the cutting of the ribbon. It is not so much the events themselves that matter but rather the chance each one provides to get our message out. We are not building roads, we are enhancing a nationwide transportation network. We are not building police stations, we are contributing to the security of the people. We are not building buildings...we are Building Afghanistan!

We all have a role in shaping our message, especially as leaders. Employees need to see that the company is making progress. Stockholders need to see that the company vision is being realized and their investment is a good one. Future clients need to learn of past successes and be informed on the potential to work together. Constituencies, whether inside or outside the organization, need to hear of what is happening...and how what is happening fits into the big picture.

What are the implications for leaders? We need to continuously think through who our target audiences are, what our key messages might be, and what opportunities we have to get strategic in our communication. We need to engage our key leaders on how each of them has responsibilities in this critical area. Every one of our tactical, daily events can be strategically critical. The chance to connect those targets with key messages will come and go. We can't miss them! When the tree falls...leaders make sure people hear it. That's Leader Business.

For those who have been wondering (I hope it is hundreds of thousands of you...Haha!), the book (Leader Business) should be ready for on-line ordering in about 10-14 days. I will keep you posted! :)