2
PHIL KEIL, from page 1 helps us facilitate. That is the decentralization of structure within our firms to allow for a more agile, adaptable, and counterintuitively unified organization. This certainly elicits a larger conversation around organizational theory which I hope to expand throughout 2021, but in the remaining space I have in this article, let’s see if I can give you, the reader, a better understanding of the components required. I also welcome debate on the premise as it may not be as self-evident from the events in 2020 and the projected near-term future as I may think. In order for a firm to pursue a decentralization strategy, it needs to be able to do a few things well. I covered one of them already in the training and development of the entire organization – treating everyone as a vital and valuable component of a larger system. Another component is teamwork with its fundamental precepts being trust and communication. One person is ill-equipped to succeed compared to a well- functioning team of two. Now think about if that two becomes four. It is not a linear expansion of impact and capability, but exponential. Without coordination and cooperation between teams, the organization is doomed to fail. The next is a clear vision. Your teams need a simple and clear goal for everyone to work toward. It isn’t a how, but a why. Communication is key both up and down the chain of command, so it is important to focus on the simplicity of the message. The next important component is the ability to prioritize and execute on tasks. A painful lesson that many firms learned this year is that they were focused on too many things and implemented very little of their strategic plans as a result. If a team tries to accomplish too many things at once, they will likely accomplish nothing. Utilizing these key components allows an organization to decentralize in a way that makes a firm come to life and accomplish some amazing things. It allows for everyone to step up and become a leader. Think about this: If each division leader clearly knew what your intent was and what you wanted each team to accomplish, and they took the initiative to accomplish that intent, wouldn’t that make your job fairly easy? Now, this requires your communication to be simple and clear, and simultaneously requires the division leaders to feel empowered enough to make things happen so that they will step up and lead. This has to be imbedded into the culture of your firm. Finally, two additional components are needed to make this strategy work: Accountability and balance. Everyone needs to feel ownership, not make excuses, or blame anyone or anything else when problems occur. Leaders also need to be balanced. For example, you can’t talk too much or too little, you also cannot be overly assertive, etc. As I come to a conclusion, I would like to touch on one final thing that many leaders struggle with yet is required for a decentralized structure: Delegation of authority. Leaders must push tasks and authorities down to their subordinate leaders and so on. It is only when you have delegated all actions that you can truly lead strategically. It is impossible to do so when you are busy trying to manage less significant tasks that could be handled by others. This doesn’t mean you should be trying to do nothing. In fact, from time to time, you should be willing to do the most awful job and get your hands dirty. It will clearly display your humility and increase your team’s respect for you. That is all I have to share to start out the year. Let me know if this reflection is something that resonates with you and how we might help you put these ideas into practice within your own organization. PHIL KEIL is director of strategy services at Zweig Group. Contact him at pkeil@zweiggroup.com.
Driving Financial Results Webinar
1 PDH/LU
Solid financial management is crucial to the success of any company, and firms in the AEC industry are no exception. This short course provides an overview of business financial management – specifically tailored to our industry – to help firm leaders make informed decisions that drive results.
REGISTER TODAY
PO Box 1528 Fayetteville, AR 72702
Chad Clinehens | Publisher cclinehens@zweiggroup.com Sara Parkman | Senior Editor & Designer sparkman@zweiggroup.com Christina Zweig | Contributing Editor czweig@zweiggroup.com Liisa Andreassen | Correspondent landreassen@zweiggroup.com
Tel: 800-466-6275 Fax: 800-842-1560
Email: info@zweiggroup.com Online: thezweigletter.com Twitter: twitter.com/zweigletter Facebook: facebook.com/thezweigletter Published continuously since 1992 by Zweig Group, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. ISSN 1068-1310. Issued weekly (48 issues/year) $250 for one-year print subscription; free electronic subscription at thezweigletter.com/subscribe © Copyright 2021, Zweig Group. All rights reserved.
© Copyright 2021. Zweig Group. All rights reserved.
THE ZWEIG LETTER JANUARY 11, 2021, ISSUE 1374
Made with FlippingBook Annual report