Why Management Isn’t a Dirty Word: Adam Thompson on Sequencing, Overload, and Real Execution
Manage episode 479776892 series 3657827
Management isn’t old-fashioned—it’s what makes real execution possible.
In this episode, Mike Jones is joined by Adam Thompson, strategy and execution expert, to tackle why management matters more than ever in today’s overloaded organisations. Far from being just about "nice" leadership, success demands clarity, sequencing, and the courage to have adult conversations about real work.
Adam shares practical insights into why organisations stall under overload, how to sequence tasks to unlock agility, and why execution without management is just wishful thinking. If you're serious about moving beyond slogans to real outcomes, this conversation is essential listening.
If you want to rethink leadership, management, and execution from the ground up, this one's for you.
🔍 In this episode:
- Why overload is the root cause of poor execution
- Why management, not just leadership, is critical for success
- How sequencing work reduces chaos and improves agility
- Why adult conversations—not assumptions—drive better workplace dynamics
- The real meaning of corporate courage in organisations
- How clarity and direction shape effective execution
- Why "good enough" beats perfection in the real world
🎧 Keywords: Adam Thompson, execution, management, leadership, clarity, sequencing, workplace dynamics, adult conversations, corporate courage, organisational strategy
📘 Learn more about Adam’s work: https://www.thompsonorganisations.com.au/
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🔗 Full episodes, show notes, and resources: https://www.lbiconsulting.com/strategymeetsreality-podcast
📺 Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@StrategyMeetsReality
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Buzzsprout
💬 Connect with host Mike Jones → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-h-jones/
Chapters
1. Introduction to Adam Thompson and His Journey (00:00:00)
2. The Importance of Execution in Organisations (00:02:21)
3. Understanding Overload and Its Impact (00:03:25)
4. Management vs. Leadership: Why Both Matter (00:06:17)
5. Creating Enabling Constraints for Focused Work (00:09:00)
6. Adult Conversations in the Workplace (00:11:42)
7. Bridging the Gap Between Leadership and Ground Reality (00:20:07)
8. The Power of Sequencing Work (00:28:25)
9. Building Clarity and Direction in Strategy (00:33:47)
10. Focus, Execution, and Doing Good Enough (00:45:03)
11. Why Sequencing Unlocks Organisational Agility (00:50:34)
12. Closing Reflections (00:55:07)
6 episodes