Just as winning sports teams follow playbooks, winning organizations follow their own playbooks to define and deliver on their goals and succeed.
What good looks like
A good playbook clearly and concisely communicates “What good looks like.” It can begin with the organization’s purpose, vision, goals and objectives. Then a playbook drills down to detail how the organization will achieve those goals and objectives.
The most effective playbooks give specifics so that everyone in the organization can understand how they contribute to success. It’s not enough to say we’re going to raise revenue or work more safely. The playbook sets specific goals and outlines how everyone will help the organization get there.
Imagine how effective a football team would be if the coach’s only direction to his team was “Score a touchdown.” Leaders need to coach their employees on exactly how they are going to advance the ball and by how much in each quarter to reach the goal line.
The benefits
- Clarity
- Employee engagement and alignment
- Measurement (what gets measured gets done)
- Process improvement
- A framework for structure and year-on-year consistency
- Improved communication
- And more…
But it only works if you use it
So, you’ve invested the time in creating a great playbook. Now you have to make it an integral piece of your organization. It does no good sitting on a shelf.
- Meet with employees to introduce it and discuss their roles, then review it and report on progress quarterly.
- Use it in conversations to engage employees and get their feedback.
- Ask them how they can help deliver the organization’s goals.
- Use it as a tool in employee performance reviews.
- Incorporate playbook updates and messages into your internal communications.
Do you have a playbook success story? Please share it!
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