Courage to Execute

Execution Problem

Companies often execute poorly for a variety of reasons. Talented people who try hard to carry out excellent work in a variety of business functions often end up achieving substandard results, despite their dedication. Many different factors can hamper execution, including “task saturation” and “runaway complexity,” problems firms often try to solve by applying more complexity.

The “Business-Intellectual Complex”

Former US president and army General Dwight David Eisenhower, supreme commander of Allied forces during World War II, warned Americans of the dangers inherent in what he called the “military-industrial complex.” Today, US businesses face the threat of the business-intellectual complex. This multibillion-dollar industry encompasses “books, magazines, seminars and schools,” as well as “articles, experts and dissertations.” The end product is a surfeit of complexity that hurts corporate America.

The US armed forces avoid complexity. The military expects high performance from its members, many of whom are younger than 21 and have only a high school education. The outstanding results these troops attain are hard wrought in the most...