Nothing stays static. Markets shift, customer expectations change and employee expectations evolve. If leaders want to continue to deliver high performance in the long term, then they have to be constantly checking their course and trimming their sales to stay on course. In an environment driven by short-term results, it takes discipline to step back and look at the bigger picture. The long-term rewards are well worth the effort.

We coach a number of leaders and leadership teams who want to see their organisations sustain a high level of performance. We encourage them to take time out on a regular basis, where we ask them some BIG questions. Doing this can make a huge difference to keeping things on track.

The questions aren’t complicated, but they do help leaders to focus on the really important things that they can do to help sustain performance in the long term:

What do our customers want from us?

• Are we asking them for feedback?
• Do we understand their world and the changes that they are grappling with?

Are we giving our customers what they want?

• Is our culture fit for purpose?
• Are our mission, vision and values right?
• Is our strategy right?

What are we doing as leaders to make a positive impact on our culture and strategy?

• Are we being clear on our expectations?
• Are people involved in decision-making?
• Do we keep our people focused on customer needs?

Do we have the right infrastructure to deliver our strategy?

• Do we have the right people?
• Do we set goals properly?
• Do we recognise and reward people properly?

Are our people behaving in the right way to deliver our strategy?

• Are we living our values?
• Are people playing to their strengths?
• Do we trust each other?

We encourage leaders to put these sorts of questions at the core of their thinking. In a results driven world, they help keep the focus on how we work as much as what we deliver. In doing so, leaders can look after both short-term results and long-term organisational health.