Tom Peters' four obsessions

12/11/2011

Tom Peters believes that in order to get from mediocrity to excellence, managers need to not only think about but regularly practice four ‘strategic obsessions’.  They are:

Cross-functional excellence.  In organisations where relationships and communication are critical (ie everywhere) computer software is not the answer to keeping people in touch – social software is.  'Doing lunch' is a "social accelerant" leading to cross-functional excellence.

Develop and engage your front-line managers. If an army loses its generals, it’s inconvenient.  If it loses it sergeants – the war’s over.  Front-line managers have the biggest impact on organisation performance, and need to be looked after.

Strategic listening.  For doctors, the greatest source of data about their patients is… the patients.  And yet research reveals that doctors spend most of their time interrupting them.  Listening has many benefits: recognition, respect, learning as well as customer connection and the right strategy.

Effective meetings.  Like it or not, this is what managers do all day, so they need to do it well.  Prepare for meetings as if your life depends on it.  It does.

For more information

Full article at TomPeters.com

Tom Peters also published a shorter version in the FT on 28 August 2011 (registration required).