Delving into the details

You’ve probably heard the old adage: the devil is in the details. Concepts are fine and necessary, but concepts must be translated into actionable plans that can then be delegated and executed or nothing good will happen.

The most recent Treasury plan to address the financial crisis is a good example. The Obama administration hyped Treasury Secretary Geithner’s recent speech only to have him deliver more conceptual mumbo jumbo with no concrete or actionable details. The stock market tanked again.

Understanding the details of the business in my prior life as a chief operating officer was critical to successfully:

• Supervising and supporting subordinates,
• Spotting and resolving problems quickly, and
• Communicating effectively with the owners, the board, and Wall Street.

Dig deep lest you miss the debris and the diamonds just beneath the surface.