In the July 2022 Newsletter
  Know Your Core / Good News / Events

Successful leaders and their organizations recognize and capitalize on their core competence. This core distinguishes them, provides focus, and offers a competitive advantage. Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, refers to this as the Hedgehog Concept, whereby good companies become great when they use their core competence to be the best in the world.

Do you know your core? There are many definitions of core. Oxford defines core as the central or most important part of something. Merriam – Webster defines core as a basic, essential, or enduring part (as of an individual, a class, or an entity); the essential meaning; or the inmost or most intimate part.

FOR ORGANIZATIONS. For any organization, its core competency refers to the capabilities, knowledge, skills and resources that constitute its “defining strength.” An organization’s core competencies — sometimes called capabilities or distinctive competencies — explain what it can do better than any other company, and why.

FOR INDIVIDUALS. In my work on Pursuit of Passionate Purpose, I explain that passion comes from the intersection of your values and your gifts. Together they describe what you are passionate about. These gifts or core competencies are the talents, experiences, abilities, aptitude, education, and traits that mold how you can uniquely contribute. Knowing your core helps you understand your passion.

Organizational Examples

MICROSOFT. Consider IBM in developing its original Personal Computer. As described in PC Magazine, IBM made the fateful decision to outsource the operating system (OS) design to Bill Gates and his fledgling company Microsoft. “Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the original IBM PC is how Microsoft ended up with the contract for the operating system. This would eventually make Microsoft’s MS-DOS the standard and set the stage for Microsoft to become the world’s leading PC software company. Thanks to the non-exclusive agreement, Microsoft then had the rights to sell DOS for other machines and that, in turn, allowed Microsoft to dominate the PC operating system industry for decades.” In this example, IBM did not protect its core competency and gave away its distinctive competitive advantage. The rest is history for Microsoft and the PC world.

PFIZER. In his book Moonshot, Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO, explains how he reorganized the portfolio of their corporate businesses. He found better homes for their Consumer Healthcare business and for the Upjohn business which accounted for 25% of the firm’s total revenue. His philosophy was, “We should not aim to be the biggest. We should aim to be the best.” Pfizer was transformed from a “conglomerate of businesses to a company singularly focused on scientific innovation.” This became their core competence. Pfizer’s new culture, which revolved around the four words, Courage, Excellence, Equity, and Joy, focused on “Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives.” And breakthrough it did when the need for a solution was great. In just nine months, it used the power of science to deliver the first COVID-19 vaccine. This moonshot changed the world and brought tremendous corporate growth and recognition.

My Example

I have the blessing (or curse) of curiosity. In looking at my resume or LinkedIn profile, you will see I have a wide range of experience from public to private sector, large to small companies, various industries including telecom, software, government, education, energy, and manufacturing, and to a range of roles of increasing responsibility from Bell Labs engineer, to consultant / coach, entrepreneur, speaker, corporate executive, board director, volunteer, and more.

What is my core? It transcends role and industry and size. The Gallup StrengthsFinder pegs me with five themes: achiever, belief, activator, WOO (win others over), and arranger.

At the core, regardless of the setting, I am a catalyst for extraordinary results and a person who helps individuals, teams, and organizations grow to new heights.

Practical Pointers for Finding Your Core

	DISCERN. Ask yourself what can make you the best in the world. Imagine, Meditate, Brainstorm. Look back at your life’s work. Create lists. Take inventories such as the Gallup Strength Finder. What do you have that makes a meaningful difference?
	ASK FOR FEEDBACK. Sometimes it’s hard to see this yourself. Ask others, whom you trust, who have insight, and who have worked with you. Bounce your core discernment thoughts against them. Ask: What is my core competence? What is NOT my core?
	WORK WITH A COACH / CONSULTANT. Professionals, such as myself, have techniques to help you and your firm cut through the clutter and clearly see.
	FEEL AND THINK. Use your head and heart. Sleep on it. What does your inner, wiser, older self say?

How Do you Know?

As Jim Collins explains, “When you get your Hedgehog Concept right, it has the quiet ping of truth, like a single, clear, perfectly struck note hanging in the air in the hushed silence of a full auditorium at the end of a quiet movement of a Mozart piano concerto. There is no need to say much of anything; the quiet truth speaks for itself.”

Summary

Know your core. Discern your own core competence as well as your firm’s. Then begin to leverage and strengthen it. It may lead to the next MS-DOS or Pfizer Moonshot.

Good News

Check out this case study, Tech Support Benefits from ChoiceView, on using a Visual IVR from Radish Systems for password reset. It’s a no-brainer on how corporations can automate in order to save money and time, and better serve their customer base.

Learn more about the benefits of ChoiceView for visually automated bots and live agents at the Radish Blog.

Selected Events

August 19, 2022. Colorado CIO of the Year. As the 2020 Colorado CIO of the Year in the Public Sector by ORBIE, I hope you will join me at this breakfast event to meet the 2022 winners. Grand Hyatt Denver. 7:15 AM – 10:30 AM MT. Learn more.

August 25, 2022. Women of Distinction. Join me and Girl Scouts of Colorado at the Denver Botanic Gardens to recognize the Women of Distinction for 2022. 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM MT. Learn more.

Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D.
C-Level Executive, Corporate Director, Consultant, and Colorado CIO of the Year

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