HABITS: The LCD* of Sustainable Competitive Advantage

Mark Twain understood the power of habits.

“You can’t reach old age by another man’s road. My habits protect my life but they would assassinate you.”

Habit: an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary

What is it that we mean, when we state, “It appears to be her/his habit?”

It has been the author’s experience that within 6 to 9 months of starting work in a firm,

one “discovers” the habits of that firm, i.e., what is allowed, what is forbidden, and what one

never asks about out-loud in a hallway, the lunchroom, or in a project meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cr: Google Images

 

 

These “habits of the mind” then become the benchmark for how employees learn to relate to their peers, management, and the general population of the firm. And, to the current and potential clients of the firm.

2:02

 

Best Places to Work

 

2:08

 

A Great Place to Work

 

1:00

 

High-performing Organizations

 

EPILOGUE

In My Opinion . . .

What do you imagine your employees might say, if they felt safe to speak clearly, in response to the statement “Advice to Senior Management?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cr: Google Images

 

If you wish to be the “A/E/C firm-of-choice” to your clients, to realize an sustainable competitive advantage in your markets, start by making your firm “The employer-of-choice.” Go ask your people what they need to do their best, and then give them what they need. Delighted employees attract and retain delighted clients.

p.s. If you wish to see a random list of comments for “Advice to Senior Management?” from the reports I reviewed, comment on this post.

 

 

*Least Common Denominator.

 

 

 

 

Tags: competitive advantage, Power of Habit, Time To change