Rule #21 — Make Execution Your Obsession

Ideas are easy. Plans are everywhere. But results? That’s where leaders are separated from dreamers.

Let’s set the scene. You’ve got two individuals:
One is sharp—brilliant, well-connected, full of polished strategies. He can map out the future in stunning detail. But there’s just one problem. He doesn’t act.
The other? Not as slick. He works hard, fails often, and learns constantly. He shows up every day and moves the ball forward—inch by inch, win by win.

Now, tell me—who’s the real leader?

Answer: the one who executes.

You cannot lead without making progress. You cannot inspire without delivering results. Theories, plans, and visions are only as valuable as the action taken to make them real. Execution is what transforms ideas into impact.

But here's the catch—execution isn’t just about doing. It’s about how you do it. Rushing results without clarity, accountability, or alignment will burn out your team and backfire on your goals. That’s why execution, done right, demands discipline.

If you're ready to level up, there's one book I highly recommend:
Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan.

Their approach boils execution down into something tangible and actionable. According to them, successful execution is built on six key elements:

Three Building Blocks:

• Coaching essential leadership behaviors

• Creating a culture that embraces change

• Putting the right people in the right roles

Three Core Processes:

• Aligning strategy and operations through a strong people process

• Establishing a focused strategic management process

• Running a disciplined operational process

If you're a leader—or want to become one—you should be asking:

How well does my organization align with these principles?

Now, you may wonder why this rule is tucked away at number 21. Isn’t execution everything?
Yes—and no.
Many leaders go all-in on execution and lose sight of the people, purpose, and values that fuel it. That’s why it’s placed here: to show its power, but also to remind you that results alone aren’t enough. Execution must be paired with integrity, vision, and trust.

ACTION ITEM 21:

Read Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Bossidy & Charan.
Then take a hard look at your team, your systems, and yourself. Are you truly executing—or just planning to?