8 July Identifying Core Competencies (....meld...)

[Paul Terlemezian]

I frequently apply a metaphor of the automobile by asking learning leaders where they believe their organization sits in relation to strategic corporate initiatives. Are they -

1. Sitting in the driver's seat with their hands on the wheel?
2. Riding shotgun?
3. In the back seat?
4. In the trunk?
5. In a trailer being towed behind (and in danger of being unhitched?)
6. On the side of the road "thumbing" for a ride?

Where do you want to sit?

• Does your organization have the competencies to succeed in the seat you chose?
• Are you valued where you are sitting?
• Are you able to diagnose and remedy the situation if you are not happy with the seat?

Drucker asserts that the role of leadership involves melding the competencies of their organization with the value that is needed by their customer. This can be done from a position in front of the customer, behind the customer, beside the customer or at a distance from the customer. What's your preference?

Where is your customer sitting?

Whose responsibility is it to assure that you and your customer have the competencies associated with where each wishes to sit?