Good strategy is not enough; commitment and decisive execution are required as well.

During the last quarter in the last few years, I was very busy preparing strategic plans with my great team. We have invested heavily in preparations, discussions and finally in decisions. The planning process was creative, positive and dynamic as individual strengths and teamwork blended into solid plans.

The ability of team members to enroll into a real “thinking together” mode is the essence of strategic dialogue in its true sense. The outcome is a strong plan with full consensus in regards to what we are going to do in the forthcoming year.

Achieving a consensus is very significant because it implies that the entire team is synchronized and committed to the plans.

Strategic plans, detailed and professional as they may be, needs to be executed properly. Just getting it ready, on time, is not enough. I would not be cynical if I will say that there is "graveyard" full of former companies with very good plans and intentions…

Once the plan is clarified and has been agreed it is time for implementation. With the right committed people it could be fully accomplished. This is one of the main success factors.
I would say that the future of global corporations relays not only on the right strategic plans, but also on people and their abilities to implement.

"Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work." -Peter Drucker

What differentiates a high performance team from a regular team?

In one word: "commitment". Commitment can be achieved by focusing on four elements:

1. Setting clear mission and goals. Identifying specific, measurable, prioritized goals and deliverables linked to the business.

2. Setting clear roles and responsibilities, contributing required skills and resources for the team to accomplish its goals. 

3. Identifying and agreeing on the procedures and approaches the team will use for getting its work done.

4. Building the necessary openness, trust, motivation and operating rhythm for a high performance team.

Winning team members are proud of the job they do and the corporation they work for when the corporation is making a meaningful contribution to society.