But even that ’ s not enough . Because if the team doesn ' t understand the way that you communicate that plan to them , then there ’ s no possible way that they can execute .
Whether this involves something as simple as ensuring that a client ’ s server has been properly backed up before upgrading critical updates or that there ’ s an effective migration of a legacy CRM to a brand-new system , you need to make sure with every communication that you ’ re crystal clear on the exact outcome you want to see happen , and that includes laying out key details , such as priorities , KPIs , and specific responsibilities .
In addition , effective leaders understand that they need to adjust their presentation style to the audience they ’ re addressing , and this isn ’ t just from the front of a room backed up by PowerPoint slides — it ’ s how you express yourself in email , on the phone , or during a Zoom call . This takes thought , and it takes discipline . When you keep things simple , you can ensure that everybody on your team understands the mission .
No . 3
Prioritize And Execute
When Jocko ran these SEAL Leadership trainings , he went to great lengths to make them as realistic as possible .
“ We had high-speed paintball guns like real guns . Set designers from Hollywood to make our training sites look like they were villages in Iraq . Special effects people , pyrotechnicians , actors , and actresses .” This is how the training would play out . A SEAL platoon would go to clear a building , and as soon as they kicked in the door , there would be explosions , people screaming , fake blood everywhere , nonstop gunfire : It was chaos . Which meant you had a whole lot of crazy going on all at once that needed to be handled .
That ' s why Jocko ’ s Third Law of Combat leadership is to prioritize and execute .
Identify the problem that needs to get solved and get it fixed now . And keep going . Prioritize . Execute . Repeat .
Note that the mistake people often make is to think this means you only take on one problem at a time . Wrong .
Let ’ s say one of your top customers has had a serious security breach . They ’ ve been hacked and you need to make things right now .
If you have 10 people on the team , that doesn ’ t mean you have all 10 doing the same thing . You prioritize and execute on multiple fronts . You start by containing the damage , running an antivirus , and probably resetting passwords . You figure out
To see a powerful clip from Jocko Willink ’ s presentation to Robin Robin ’ s Producers Club MSPs , go to www . MSPsuccessMagazine . com / jockovideo
18 | MSPSuccessMagazine . com • VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3