The Point of Next

For too long now, I've witnessed data teams struggle to get clarity, enthusiasm, alignment, and connection they need to execute well - that this rudimentary picture provides.

Imagine leadership that took the time to think enough of their execution teams to clearly articulate achievable goals within ambitious, but achievable, timelines.  Then shipped it to corporate communications to be converted into a wallet-sized, laminated card that everyone would have ready reference to their key objectives.  It doesn't matter what team you're on - the CEO and board of directors want your WHY to be what's on the card. 

On the back of the card, I'd put a list of core values and behaviors I value under the following key messages.

Focus on the Point of Next

Welcome to Wrexham provides compelling entertainment chronicling the vision to transform this football club - the 3rd oldest in the English system - and the small Welsh town it serves.  Each season of the show follows how the journey from non-EFL club to top-tier sports club unfolds in the lives of the players, the supporting organization, the Hollywood stars, and the everyday people whose lives have been transformed because two actors decided to make a show about a business they started.

It's a great way to look at program/product management in general.  Each season had one major, concrete, and unambiguous goal.  What the documentary reveals about the underlying complexity of making it all happen - getting to that point of next - is worth emulating. 

Promote a Culture of Competence

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney don't go to all the games, or micromanage club operations, or put their opinions about player rotations into Phil Parkinson's ear every other day. 

Instead they said, "Here's where we want to be this time next year.", then they went out and got the funding and professionals needed to reach the point of next. 

When their unique talents were needed to win over the community, promote local commerce, or make a sick kid feel better; that's when they showed up.  Good leaders just seem to know when their people need them to engage.

Know Your Role and Do Your Bit with Joy

There is no time to waste in endless debates building consensus or dancing around butt hurt feelings when re-direction is required.  The match WILL kick off.  The gates will open.  The fans will either boo or cheer; fill the seats or the exits.

Everyone's best efforts within their core and backup competencies are needed, and decisions have to be made quickly by a leader with an executive mentality and the stones to live with the outcome.

Every production needs a shot caller, and every team needs a clear RACI to understand how their role fits into the bigger picture.

Celebrate Along the Way

In four seasons of English football, Wrexham AFC has been promoted 3 years running.  They're the only EFL club to do so.  They are one level from being promoted to the Premier League, and you can guarantee that they're already driving to a very tangible point of next.  Oh, and they'll also be putting out another season of the show.

Each episode of the show offers the opportunity to celebrate the impact of executing the strategy - it could be a key decision made by the Big 4 (Ryan, Rob, Harvey, and Shaun); a team breakthrough or personal challenge overcome; the changing fortunes of The Turf, the pub that sits on the Racecourse Ground - there's always an in-progress connectedness that characterizes great teams with a competent leader. They celebrate each other, mourn each other's losses, and roll up their sleeves to help a teammate.

Teammate. That word has become so overused as to become mostly meaningless - which is why I prefer cast & crew or production family.

Write Your Own Success Story

The DMD Data Production approach encapsulates this formula for success.  We will help you define your "seasons", establish the primary strategic objective for each, then work with you and your delegates to break down the upcoming season into the number of events / episodes to be produced and schedule the release dates.  We'll continue to drill down, until we create one of these strategy timelines for every working team - so that the whole picture unfolds like a Russian nesting doll.