HBR IdeaCast Why Great Leaders Focus on the Details
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Dec 16, 2025 Scott Cook reveals why great leaders dive into the details rather than only focusing on big-picture strategy. He discusses the transformation at a GM plant by Toyota, emphasizing the power of effective processes. Cook argues that CEOs should create systems that thrive without their presence and foster a culture of rapid experimentation. He highlights how obsessing over customer value and engaging front-line teams can drive success. Continuous improvement and method-sharing meetings are also key strategies for effective hands-on leadership.
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Strategy Needs Execution Systems
- Strategy alone fails without strong execution systems and processes.
- CEOs must care about how work gets done, not just what work is done.
Toyota's Plant Turnaround Experiment
- Toyota turned a failing GM plant into the best plant by changing management systems alone.
- The experiment kept workers and factory constant but replaced management approach and improved quality and cost dramatically.
Own Customer-Value Metrics
- Do own the selection and precision of customer-value metrics at the CEO level.
- Ensure metrics reflect what customers truly care about, not internal financial goals.