Cutting Through The Grey

Succession

As 2015 draws to a close, the topic of the week seems to be succession.

 

Apple has just shuffled it's senior management team in the hope of preserving durable competitive advantage and improving financial performance. As a touchstone for innovation and a company that analysts find difficult to value, talent retention and succession planning will be important strategic considerations.

 

And in the world of sport, the anticipated but not unexpected departure of José Mourinho yesterday from Chelsea Football Club will prompt a merry-go-round of movement across global football managers. The search for better results after a dire season to date, has prompted the board to call time on their enigmatic manager.

 

Great boards take succession planning seriously but the best of plans can be derailed by unexpected events and the vagaries of human beings.

 

 

Situational Intelligence in action - strategic context

Visualise an orchestra playing in the Royal Albert Hall. Players  contribute at the command of the conductor, who follows the score. They play the same piece, together. They watch the baton closely to follow mood and pace.

Just round the corner, an intimate space hosts a jazz group. A melange of trusted experts pass the melody, bend it, stretch it and offer it to the next person with a smile or nod. Music develops with freedom of expression and shifting patterns.

What kind of organisation do you lead, an orchestra or a jazz group?

Is decision making centralised? Are structures, processes and systems clearly laid down and universally adopted? Is your strategy carefully planned in advance, with milestones and metrics closely monitored.

Are decisions made by the people closest to the customer? Are there guidelines as opposed to a rule book?Is your strategy emergent, in response to the opportunities which present themselves?

Leaders with  Situational Intelligence develop a clear understanding of the context in which they operate and use it to inform the choices they make