The Core Algorithm for Corporations: Step 1

The Core Algorithm in brief for corporations

Step 1. Begin with the end in mind

Imagine your own funeral.  Family and friends are mourning your death.  What would you like them to remember most about you?  What would you like them to say about you?

This is a solemn little exercise from Stephen Covey pivotal book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, published 25 years ago.  Begin with the end in mind is one of those habits.  

What are you in this life, this company, or this business for?

What do you hold near and dear in your mind, heart and spirit?

What is the most important thing you want to do?

For a CEO and his or her organization, purpose, values and mission must be translated into the following, thus lending a quantitative or concrete format to something that may be abstract, emotional or lofty:

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As we sidle to Step 2 and Step 3 next, keep in mind that The Core Algorithm is not meant to be a linear effort.  Rather, we may very well have to cycle back to Step 1, on a regular basis, not just to remind ourselves about what we're aiming to accomplish or fulfill, but also to review that end in mind and perhaps adjust, revise or even discard it.