Know How:
The 8 Skills That Separate People Who Perform From Those Who Don’t

Know How is a book by Ram Charan, and just like his prior works this is another insightful read about the skills you need in order to successfully perform and achieve.

Ram clearly understands that knowledge and the ability to take action is what separates leaders who perform and deliver results, from those who don't.

It must say something very powerful to the business manager contemplating reading this book when he or she realizes that this book is being hailed by CEO’s all across the United States.

These highly influential CEO’s represent some of America’s largest organizations such as: Honeywell, Gillette, Verizon, Universal Studios, Verizon, General Electric, Pitney Bowes, Proctor & Gamble, Boeing – as well as world renowned author and speaker, Stephen R. Covey.

"You must ask - beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the goals clearly set?"

Know-How: The 8 Skills That Separate People Who Perform from Those Who Don't was written to address head-on one of the most common issues within the ranks of management.

How many times have you been in a meeting and listened to a leader who delivered an important speech, listing very clearly his expectations for results and a very specific timeline for completion of a task – yet his words end up being nothing more than mere words? The expectations for results quickly evaporate, turned that same well prepared speech into nothing more than rhetoric and hot air!

Yes, we've all been there and experienced this many times, so the real question is what can we or should we do about it?

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."

- Vince Lombardi

8 Key Skills for Know How

Know how is what separates leadership who perform - who actually deliver results - from those who may talk about it, but don't do it.

Getting results is the hallmark of people who know what they are doing, those who build long-term value and hit short-term goals on a consistent basis.

The author states that we need leaders who know what they are doing. Change is always with us, but it's current magnitude, speed, and depth in unlike anything we've ever encountered in our lifetime.

As analytics becomes more integrated in management reporting, leaders will be held to higher account. You will be constantly tested for your know-how to lead your business in the right direction

Charan’s insights take you into the heart of effective leadership. He provides the reader with eight essential skills that are needed for success in the new century.

Know-How: The 8 Skills That Separate People Who Perform from Those Who Don't takes you step-by-step through these 8 essential skills, which include.

Positioning and Repositioning the business
Pinpointing External Change
Leading The Social System
Judging People
Molding A Team
Setting Goals
Setting Laser-Sharp Priorities
Dealing With Forces Beyond The Market

One of the most interesting insights to Charan’s book is how he explains how there are personal traits that can both help or interfere with the 8 essential Know How skills.

Charan explains how ambition, drive and tenacity, self-confidence, psychological openness, realism, and an appetite for learning can all have a positive or negative impact on one’s ability to lead and drive results.

Chapter Eight provides valuable insights, starting with an intriguing title, "It’s Monday Morning – Now What?”

This chapter focuses squarely on how important it is for managers to set laser-sharp priorities for the team, and to ensure that team members are empowered to not allow outside activities to get in the way of these dominant objectives.

Charan believes that goals should be achieved based on your values and what is most important to you. This will create a clear path for your business in both the short and long term.

The author goes on to explain that goals should first be established at 30,000 feet, seeing the goal conceptually. Next, the goal must be broken down into clearly defined tasks that are prioritized and assigned to people who have a clear willingness to see the task through to a finish.

When assigning the tasks, you can better determine how tools and resources will be assigned.

Once tasks are assignedset, Charan pleads with leaders to continually oversee progress of the project with assigned staff; to follow through to ensure everyone clearly understands why these are the priorities and what their role and responsibilities are; to take action to ensure the organization executes and doesn't deviate from the course the priorities set.

As you can see, the author is crystal clear in Know How about the leaders role, and he holds the leader fully accountable for whatever the outcome is.

Check out this book, we believe it will help you to become a more thoughtful and effective leader.