What was the biggest learning lesson of 2019?

To know that the CEO doesn’t need to create 50 great things, rather, set the focus on accomplishing 2 or 3 things that becomes the driving force for change internally and something the team can rally around. On today’s episode, Access EForms CEO Tim Elliott and COO Davin Marceau admit what has been their biggest learning lesson of 2019? To understand that learning happens when you're experiencing growth and generally from a mistake is a rare thing for an organization to share. See more from Access EForms below: SHOW NOTES: (1:03) Davin Marceau talks about communication with key stakeholders and why a plan is the most critical to success. (1:48) Tim Elliott talks through the importance of having a vision, but only with a plan for execution. Just having great ideas doesn’t get much done day to day. (2:52) Accountability towards a written plan and measurement towards an agreed upon standard of performance gives responsibility both up and down the organizational chart. (3:46) Responding to the changes that come with a result of working through your plan and adequately addressing “Gap and Gain”, doesn’t make the process easier, but it does remind you of the importance of having the plan written out. (5:20) Even as the written plan was a very thoughtful and deliberate process, you can find that there are still holes or pitfalls that expose themselves along the way. (6:05) CEO Tim Elliott clearly delineate the difference between team members and those that just wear the team’s jersey. (6:38) “Wisdom is the application of knowledge and experience.” Davin Marceau talks about how this principle applies to not only the pieces of the plan that are difficult, but also it draws folks in closer as the plan gets worked through. (7:37) CEO Tim Elliott looks back to 2008 and tells a story about how dangerous it can be if you let up mentally towards the objective.  (8:35) The amazement that a CEO can experience once the pressure builds and the optimal performance standard is expected and reinforced. (9:47) The evaluation talent to find the best fit, rather than go get the best people for the role. (10:14) Davin Marceau talks about how much more efficient the organization becomes, even as the personnel number and operational footprint is reduced.  (10:56) Change who you are, you really just change how you do things. You stop trying to be everything to everyone, you start to focus your attention on serving a small niche and increasing your competence towards that standard. (12:15) COO Davin Marceau admits that the vision is solely as useful as the execution of the vision. The challenge of changing your mindset and beliefs around your capability changes when you challenge yourself.  (13:25) How much more fun is your day to day, when as the CEO you see folks accomplishing their goals? It leads to a momentum building scenario as folks buy-in to the process. (14:20) CEO Tim Elliott gives kudos to the leadership team by their ability to execute the plan. (14:50) Davin Marceau admits how difficult it can be to chase a pivot, rather than execution of the process. (15:18) Hearing two executives go back and forth with friendly banter, jabbing at their strengths and admitting that laughter can ease the tension and still uphold a high standard. (15:42) When the vision gets carried down to the levels in the organization where the CEO isn’t the only one championing the message, that’s when it can truly affect change. (16:28) Being able to execute on the top 1 or 2 things gives more life and energy to the organization than being mediocre on 40 things. Subscribe and Follow to Maintain the “Leadership Mindset” Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AccessEFM/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/Access_eforms?s=20 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessefm/ Tim Elliott, CEO, Access EForms - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-elliott-b84b39a/ Davin Marceau, COO, Access EForms - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davinmarceau/