Feb 13, 2019
Lee Benson, CEO of Execute To
Win, joins the show to discuss his powerful yet practical approach
to leadership and culture. Lee has worked with thousands of leaders
and went from owning a business with 2 employees to quickly
becoming Able Aerospace, a
company with 500 employees and 2,000 customers. He explains why
better alignment leads to better results, and how we get there. He
also discusses his love for the guitar, and why being presented
with a hurdle may be the best opportunity we get.
Key Takeaways
[4:04] Alignment brings
increased productivity, reduces reactivity and ambiguity, and
strengthens the ability to execute strategic initiatives
faster.
[7:18] When everyone at the
organization is involved with setting the standards for culture and
what determines success, they are more likely to stick with it, be
more deeply involved, and ultimately provide more value for the
organization.
[11:50] When leaders encourage
their team to know the “why”, it will measurably improve the
organization and explain why the day to day actions are
worthwhile.
[13:53] What may be seen as a
disadvantage to some may be a source of value creation for others.
Lee turned in debt and the need to be independent into a lucrative
career and a Global aerospace powerhouse.
[17:43] When we create the right
environment as leaders, they never want to leave.
[19:54] A good leader clearly
explains the outcomes they expect, and how they plan to measure and
track success. They watch their employees from the frontlines, and
gives more authority and autonomy based on earned decisions and
results.
[21:34] We must first get the
mindset right. Then, we can move to the tools of the processes and
technology.
[22:09] Two categories that
typically come from Lee drilling down with teams on what creates
stellar leadership: behaviors that achieve extraordinary results,
and manager operating system elements.
[28:55] Lee sees
his focus on 60% with the employees, and the other 40% for the
customers. The more
aligned the employees, the better experience the customer has
naturally.
[33:46] Leaders encourage
everyone to study the competition and determine what gives them the
leading edge.
[37:50] In a country where Lee
feels most leadership teams are performing at a C, it is possible
for them to be B’s and A’s in six months with the right
tools.
[40:23] The four categories of a
capable leader: alignment, leadership, management and foundational
readiness.
[44:04] It may be an investment
at first, but in the long run you save time and receive higher
value when you spend time getting employees in
alignment.
Quotes
- “Life
is so much better not putting out fires.”
- “High
performing employees do what they say they are going to, and treat
company resources as their own.”
- “The
earlier you can start the value creation process, the more set you
are going to be.”
- “When
you create the right environment, it’s timeless and
addictive.”
- “You
have to earn autonomy.”
- “There has to be a ‘why’.”
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Execute To Win