Vision Without Execution is Daydreaming

We all know the value of a powerful vision, an inspiring mission, and an airtight strategy. We also know that these “North Stars” are meaningless unless we back them up with strong and consistent execution. After all, vision without execution is merely daydreaming.?

Execution requires operating discipline. Simply stated, it is the ability to do things right every time. At Corteva, it’s the sum of millions of little – and not so little – things done right each day by people around the world to advance an organization’s goals and aspirations.?

Operating discipline shows up in daily tasks and activities not only in Operations, but also in all parts of the organization, including Commercial, Finance, Legal, HR, R&D, Communications, etc. It is operating discipline that builds a high-performance culture to deliver exceptional results.??

In today’s environment of scarce supplies, tight labor, fast pace, and omnipresent distraction, leaders are challenged more than ever. Throughout my career, I’ve experienced six cultural traits exhibited by all great execution-focused companies, including Corteva. These six traits encourage discipline while also allowing the freedom-within-a-framework to create cultures of innovation and continuous learning:

• It starts with?integrity?– doing the right thing, not the easy thing, every time.??
• Closely related is?accountability?-- to ourselves, our colleagues, and our customers. And it’s also demanding that same accountability from everyone we interact with.?
• It’s also about?clear and authentic communication?– are you willing to be vulnerable as a leader to be real and relatable? Are you in it for the right reason??
• Organizations that excel in operating discipline also tend to have?highly collegial cultures. People and teams that share responsibility and have each other’s backs in times of need.??
• Another important common attribute of high-performing and disciplined operating cultures is?incessant curiosity and growing for the future.?This passion for continuous learning is one of Corteva’s leadership model competencies and one that speaks to me in particular. Lifelong learning keeps us fresh in our thinking.
• And finally, it’s about a sense of?constructive dissatisfaction?– never being satisfied with the status quo. Always seeking a better way to refine, renew and innovate.?

When organizations bring these cultural traits together and successfully integrate them into every aspect of the organization, good things happen. Work gets done. Strategy is delivered. Teams become great. And the daydream becomes a vision realized.