Drafting the Five Key Players to Accomplish any Goal: Part 2 Continuing from part 1, the strategic planning committee is incomplete without the devil’s advocate, the visionary, and the all-important worker. The devil’s advocate acts as your insurance policy.
The Devil’s Advocate The innovator needs an alter ego, a counterpart that will keep his or her head in the sky while keeping their feet tied to the ground. Some ideas are completely unrealistic. If allowed to germinate, they could destroy the financial stability or public image of the company. Even Steve needed someone to tell him no from time to time. It’s not that the ideas weren’t good, or that the innovator wasn’t going in the right direction, it’s just that it was too crazy. The devil’s advocate often pipes in with the public opinion. Ideas for having all actors wearing bell bottom pants and afros for a TV commercial need to be shot down if you are selling funeral services. People will never respond to that, even if they would rather laugh then cry in their sorrow. The devil’s advocate knows the public mind and good business. They keep the innovators levelheaded.
The Visionary The visionary is someone who holds and treasures the vision of the project. This person likely attended the board meetings that preceded this committee. He or she understands the higher vision behind the project. The committee must rely on him or her to keep them on-track. Creative brainstorming is an incredible way to solve a problem. It allows the mind to think outside the box. Once outside, the problem comes into focus and the solution is a lot easier to see. Unfortunately, it can easily take a group onto forbidden paths that stray from the main goal of the project. The visionary reminds the committee what goal they are truly striving for and makes sure it is met. He is invaluable to the committee.
The Worker The worker is the most important part of the implementation. This is the employee who sits at the table listening and thinking. The only thought on this employee’s mind is not, “Why this plan won’t work,” but instead he or she is thinking, “How can I make it work?” The worker is ready and willing to do anything it takes to make this project work, he or she just needs to know what to do.
Once instructions are given, you can rely on them to fulfill every request to the “t.” They get things done and don’t complain along the way. The worker is the most important part because they truly turn ideas into action. And what good are the ideas if you have no action to follow? You end up with a committee full of hot air. If you can gather these all-stars together you can rest assured that whatever they do, it will be in the best interests of your company. When you set the right goals, you guarantee your company’s future. No one wants to get left behind. Set the right goals. Then find the right kind of people working for you and you are sure to see success in your future endeavors.