Organizational Vitality
Success in today's business environment requires an exceptionally high
level of performance, a level exemplified by acclaimed world class companies
such as 3M, American Express and Marriot. These and other premier organizations
share one key characteristic -- vitality. They are full of life, vigor,
energy and resilience. This vitality is evident in terms of both outcome
and culture:
Outcome vitality reflects their capacity to “make their numbers” as
in sales, market share, dividends, stock appreciation, profit
or ROI. The outcome vitality of these premier firms is impressive
-- long term financial performance six times that of comparison
companies. This achievement has not been a smooth upward trajectory;
each one has had its share of precipitous downturns. Nor has it
been the result of one specific leader, product or service; for
each of these companies is at least 50 years old and has had several
CEOs and multiple service or product life cycles. This level of
sustained success is only possible through cultural vitality.
Cultural vitality reflects an organization's capacity to tap
the commitment and focus the energy of its employees. Focused
human energy is akin to the dynamics of light. In the average
light bulb, as in the average organization, energy is dissipated
and its impact minimized. In a laser beam, as in the premier
firms, that same energy is focused and concentrated. Its
impact is significantly greater.
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