Every Business leader knows that execution is the hardest part of any business strategy.

As part of my role as the lead Consultant on the design, development, and delivery of leadership development learning journeys I often also provide Coaching services to executive clients and senior leaders who participate in our programs.

Last week I had a very interesting and dynamic session with one of my participants who is struggling with creating a collaboration-based work environment with his team that is focused on execution.  He shared with me a story of one of his Direct Reports who was consistently displaying dysfunctional behaviors and always making excuses for why things were poorly executed.  And unfortunately, after a while, other direct reports came to resent the poor effort and were openly wondering why there wasn’t more accountability.  Things came to a head when my “Coachee” confronted his direct report and in a very uncomfortable conversation finally said “What is with you?  Is your objective to get the job done, or is your objective to be a dysfunctional jerk?”