Firefighting feels heroic. But is it actually winning?
Let’s talk about Dennis Bradley, director of network systems for a Silicon Valley tech giant—legendary for “saving the day” at every turn. Each year, he rallied his Dreamforce event team with battle cries, last-minute heroics, frantic nights, blown weekends, and costly overtime. The team pulled it off. But at what cost? Nights, weekends, all-nighters, and missed vacations and family time. Thousands of dollars in rush charges for overtime. It didn’t matter! They had to make it happen. And they did. No one was more pleased than Bradley. At the post-show meeting, he chanted his familiar refrain: “We were in the weeds, people, but we pulled it out and got it done. Great job everyone.”
In his enthusiasm for a job well done, he didn’t always notice the brain drain as top talent left his team every year for another role in the organization or a competitor. Or the fact that his cost overruns meant his group could not attend one or more of the smaller shows during the rest of the year.
By contrast, Akim Camaron, VP of Engineering, used his post-Dreamforce meeting to debrief his team and start planning for the next year. They used takeaways from the last show to lay the foundation for the future. They developed a roadmap with monthly project milestones eleven months in advance. No chaos, no “all hands” hysteria. Instead, they coordinate with product, assess competitors, refine positioning, and make smart, strategic moves—long before the spotlight hits. The result? No burnout, minimal surprises, and a team that has energy, flexibility, and fun. Most importantly: they execute and win.
Here’s the pressing question for every leader, owner, or advisor:
Which team would you rather lead? And which team do you want to become?
Plans are good—but transformation only happens in execution.
If you want to break the firefighting cycle and consistently drive results (not just activity), join me for a candid, hands-on session:
Execute to Win: How to Transform Great Plans into Remarkable Results.
Date: November 18th
Format: Virtual – Interactive Workshop
In this 60-minute workshop, you’ll work through a proven three-step methodology that turns thoughtful planning into leadership-level execution—by activating the eight value levers behind every high-performance team. You will leave with a practical, customized roadmap for delivering on your top priorities with less drama, lower costs, and stronger results.
Ready to stop scrambling and start winning—every time?👉 Register now. Secure your seat here.