As the year winds down, the opportunity to shape what comes next is wide open. Great organizations don’t stumble into success — they design it. That design begins with a plan rooted in purpose, driven by vision, and executed with discipline.
This is your moment to pause, reflect, and ask: What kind of future are we building? Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a business, or refining your strategy, next year’s plan should be more than a checklist — it should be a blueprint for impact.
Let’s move beyond reactive goals and build with intention. Let’s align our strategy with our values, our tactics with our strengths, and our execution with unwavering discipline.
Now that we’ve grounded ourselves in purpose, it’s time to move from vision to structure — to begin shaping a plan that turns intention into impact. Let’s break down the path forward, step by step, and build a framework that’s bold, focused, and ready for execution.
Strategic Vision: Define the Destination
- Purpose & Mission: Why does our business exist? What problems will it solve?
- Core Values: What principles guide decision-making and culture?
- Long-Term Goals: Where do you want to be in 3-5-10 years?
- Market Positioning: What makes your business unique or world-class?
Disciplined thought begins here — clarity of purpose and unwavering focus on what truly
matters.
Tactical Execution: Chart the Course
- Operational Plan: Break down strategic goals into actionable steps.
- Resource Allocation: Assign people, capital, and time effectively.
- KPIs & Milestones: Track progress with measurable indicators.
- Feedback Loops: Build systems for continuous learning and adjustment.
Disciplined people thrive here — executing with precision, consistency, and accountability.
Disciplined Approach: Build the Culture
- Leadership Alignment: Leaders model discipline in thought and behavior.
- Hiring for Fit: Recruit people who embody the values and vision.
- Performance Management: Reward disciplined action and course-correct when needed.
- Resilience & Adaptability: Stay the course even when conditions change.
Disciplined action is the bridge between vision and results — it’s what turns good intentions into great outcomes.
Building a business plan must have a Strategic vision, a Tactical view for Execution, with Disciplined Approach. We have talked in previous newsletters about the importance of disciplined people with a disciplined thought can create a world class organization through disciplined action.
Let’s talk about disciplined thought as an important component of the planning process and a quick review of Disciplined Thought.
- Collaborative Team Building: Fosters a climate of teamwork and mutual respect, building
strong relationships across all levels and backgrounds. Resolves conflicts constructively,
supports group decisions, and leads team efforts with a clear focus on shared goals. - Integrity in all we do: Does what is right for customers people, shareowners, and
stakeholders; role models’ consistency between their words and actions; Lives their word;
Establishes open, candid, trusting respectful relationships at all levels; Treats all people inside
and outside fairly; Makes decisions that are effective rather than politically correct. - Forward Looking: Is a visionary thinker with a vision for the business and business units.
Maintains a long-term, big picture view while dealing effectively with the short-term business
challenges. Quickly identifies obstacles and opportunities; stimulates breakthrough ideas from
the best talent; fosters innovative solutions, resulting in new effective business strategies - Detailed Planning: Empowers employees to act efficiently, ensures regular performance
feedback, and prioritizes leadership development through succession planning and resource
alignment. - Constructively Dissatisfied: Is open to constructive criticism from a 360 perspective, boss,
subordinates, and peers, and deals effectively with ambiguity and learns from success and
failure. - Customer-Focused Solutions: Builds strong internal and external relationships, leverages
customer data to uncover opportunities, enhance value, and drive retention. Transforms insights
into innovative offerings that create competitive and first-mover advantages.
Going into the planning process, here are some questions to consider as you prepare for the kickoff meeting. Your goal for the meeting is to identify and agree upon the strategic intent of the plan, the market dynamics to produce sales and marketing deliverables and the ability to execute the plan. The key deliverables will be:
- Understand the business plan, marketing positioning, competitive environment, service
offerings, and value propositions. - Review of management structure, strategic partners, customer, sales funnel, sales, and
marketing strategy - Gain commitment to execute both in sales and operations, and performance to impact
- Bottom Line results
- Operational Results
- Leadership Effectiveness
Define Your North Star
To build with purpose, we must confront the questions that shape our identity and legacy:
- Who are we, especially when no one is watching?
- What truths do we uphold, even when they cost us?
- Which values do we hold so deeply that we feel they must remain unyielding, even in the face of pressure?
When we answer these questions with clarity and conviction, we lay the foundation for something truly lasting — not just built to stand the test of time, but infused with purpose, passion, and soul. It’s how we create not just structures, but legacies.
Use these prompts to spark bold conversation and sharpen strategic clarity:
- What’s our origin story and what drives us now?
- Are our vision, mission, and values truly lived — not just written?
- What makes our brand distinct and unforgettable?
- Do we understand our structure, influence, and leadership strengths?
- Where do we see opportunity, risk, and untapped potential?
- Are our partnerships, talent, and strategies aligned for growth?
- What challenges must we overcome — and what bold moves will we make?
Let these questions fuel insight, alignment, and action. The future starts with clarity. Let’s lead with it.
This is our moment to lead boldly. By embracing broad-based leadership, we don’t just manage — we ignite momentum. We will drive, delegate, empower, and coach with purpose, creating a culture where excellence is expected and personal investment is the norm.
The road ahead demands energy, vision, and relentless execution. But with high-impact leadership and a unified commitment to results, we won’t just build a plan — we’ll shape a future defined by growth, innovation, and lasting success.
We will lead from the front, pursue bold goals, and ignite a culture of learning, performance, and transformation.
For more on this topic—and to explore our Leadership and Sales Workshops, Keynote Speaking Topics, and Podcast—visit www.tightenthelugnuts.com. It all starts with the Amazon Best Seller, Tighten The Lug Nuts—the foundation of our message and mission.
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I believe that none of us can achieve success without some help along the way. For each of us, there is a person, a mentor, who we are grateful towards and who can help us get to where we aspire to be. Sharing stories and experiences as a speaker is a way of recognizing the value of these experiences and giving back to the next generation of leaders. It also is a way of demonstrating in words and deed the value I am placing in mentorship. As for me, I have been fortunate to have worked with and mentored by some incredibly special people, and none more incredible than Coach John Wooden.
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I have broad experiences to share that can help others as they grow and take on new challenges. During my time as president of UPS Supply Chain Solutions, I integrated over 20 acquisitions that became UPS Supply Chain Solutions. I steered UPS’s entry into the health care industry and created the mantra, “It’s a patient, not a package. ®” With the ability to see a clear vision of the changing business landscape, the passion to develop strategies, tactics, and metrics to drive desired results, and the passion to develop the Best, The Brightest, Most Informed, and Best People in the industries they serve.
Please give me a call today at 610-322-0720 or email at
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THE LEADERSHIP LIBRARY PODCAST SEASON 8
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TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS: THE PRINCIPLES OF
BALANCED LEADERSHIP
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