SMaC stands for Specific , Methodical and Consistent operating practices adopted by 10X companies as a recipe for long term success
Though this is a checklist , depending on the changing environment it needs to be dynamic without altering the basic essence
10X compaies use “empirical creativity” to develop the checklist , “fanatic discipline” to stick to it and “productive paranoia” to sense necessary changes
Adopted from Jim Collins’s book titled “Great By Choice”
It’s the followers not the visionary who bring a leader’s vision to life.
Hence visionaries need followers as much as followers need a vision to get turned on.
Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled Together is Better
Chasing a dream instead of copying competition is much more involved and more difficult.
Such is the case with companies who chase the competition.Their goals are short term oriented and shallow.The culture in such companies is filled with internal politics and micro management.
On the other hand , companies who are busy chasing a dream are long term oriented and are obsessed with trying to make a better version of themselves , by the day.These are ones with a sense of purpose where people are fighting for each other rather than against each other.
Biologically our brain is oriented to derive fulfillment out of long term goals rather than “dopamine” driven short term goals.Hence chasing a dream instead of competition is better for our existence as well.
Needlessly to say this is the difficult part.
A vision is like a dream , it will disappear unless we do something with it.
Thus when obstacles appear in the way of our vision , the choice is on us to find our vision.
We can either devise innovative means to get around obstacles to climb the wall in front of us or we can stand there and stare at the wall.
Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “Together is Better”
A leader clearly communicates a vision and provides a direction to the followers to reach the target.
When obstacles appear , the human brain is creative enough to devise creative ways to get round the obstacles reach the target provided the destination is communicated clearly.
The problem happens when the destination is not communicated clearly and confuses the human mind.
This is what separates true visionaries from others.
We can start a revolution when we know what we stand against.To create change that lasts , however we need to know what we stand against.
Knowing what we stand against can be made easier if we know about the “Just Cause”.This should be deeply personal to the person who espouses it and the followers.
Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “Together is Better”.
Adopted from wikipedia , read more about the chairman emeritus of South West Airlines and what made him a visionary , infinite minded , 10X leader
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Kelleher
South West Airlines over the years has become renowned as an iconic Airlines in the United States of America.
The chairman of SWA , Herb Kelleher built the company’s culture around employee benefits , respect to employees which was a key aspect that helped SWA outperform competitors.
As a leader Herb Kelleher exhibited “Productive Paranoia” , always vigilant about the external operating business conditions to help SWA stay afloat.
Once such strategy was to maintain a conservative balance sheet and surplus cash balance without being too greedy for growth.
What this did was that it helped SWA continue with its 20 Mile march and reap profits even during rough times for e.g post 9/11 , SWA was the only Airlines who did not fire people and who registered profits when its competition was falling apart.
Adopted from Jim Collins’s book titled “Great By Choice”
David Breashers was the director of the IMAX film titled “Everest” which was shot in Mount Everest ,the tallest peak in the world.
This was filmed during the 1996 Mount Everest Disaster which killed quite a few mountaineers.
It was the “Productive Paranoia” of the 10X leader David Breashears which saved his entire team and helped in production of the iconic film titled “Everest”.
By use of “Productive Paranoia” he was able to preempt the storm and hence his team was better prepared in the face of the storm.
Read more about “Everest” the film and 1996 Mount Everest Disaster from the following wikipedia links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everest_(1998_film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Mount_Everest_disaster
Adopted from Jim Collins’s book titled “Great By Choice”