The Art of Adherence

What do bamboo and winning teams have in common? They grow the same way and yield amazing results.

There is a time-tested, real-world validated formula for winning. When you consistently sharpen Focus, build Competence and ignite Passion, you plant the seeds of victory. Initially, you may not see tangible results, but rest assured growth is occurring under the surface. As Individuals and teams stick with it and execute their plans consistently, momentum builds. The result is a self-reinforcing cycle of victory.

It takes skill and creativity to continually nurture Focus, Competence and Passion with your team. This is why we call it “the art of Adherence.”

The art of Adherence is a lot like growing Indian Thorny bamboo, which is native to Asia. Like many bamboo species, when this particular seed is planted, it requires the right amount of watering, sunlight, care and feeding. It takes up to two years of this careful attention for the bamboo to build a strong root structure, none of which is visible above ground. However, once the sprout finally breaks through the earth, the Indian Thorny bamboo can grow up to 100 feet in a month!

The Adherence Equation

So how do you achieve Adherence? How can you ensure that you stick with your strategy long enough to win? Fortunately, Adherence is a skill that can be learned. Based on the experiences of winning individuals, teams and organizations, we have identified three components of Adherence:

Focus provides the clarity necessary to make decisions that support your most important goals. It results in a clearly defined pathway to success. A sharp focus answers the “what” question – What do you need to do to execute your strategy?

Competence is used in the broadest sense of the term. It encompasses all the skills, systems, processes and tools a team uses to achieve its goals. The result is the ability to commit to, measure and hit your targets. Building competence answers the “how” question – How will you execute your strategy?

Passion creates a sense of connectedness. It creates a connection between teammates, a connection to our human need for meaningful work and a connection to each individual’s sense of value and contribution. Igniting passion answers the “why” question – Why are you executing your strategy?

The relationship between these three components is best illustrated by a multiplication equation we call the Adherence Equation:

Focus x Competence X Passion = ADHERENCE


When you think about Adherence this way, the critical role of each component becomes clear. Applying a principle from elementary school math, if any multiplier is 0, then the product is 0. For example, presume that each of the three elements – Focus, Competence, Passion – are rated on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. If any one of the three components is missing, (e.g., Focus = 0), then there is no Adherence:

Focus X Competence X Passion = ADHERENCE
0 x 4 x 8 = 0

The three Adherence components are interrelated, meaning that changes in one affect changes in the others, similar to the way the various systems of the human body affect one another. As you address one component of the Equation – or conversely, as you ignore it – you will see clear implications in the other two. Consider what happens with a modest improvement in all three components:

Focus XCompetence X Passion = ADHERENCE
5 x 5 x 5 = 125
6 x 6 x 6 = 216

A modest improvement in each component produces a 73 percent increase in Adherence (125 to 216). This underscores the compounding relationship among these components. Focus, Competence and Passion are equally important and more powerful together.

This interrelationship creates a multiplier effect that can work for you (or against you if the components are ignored). Enhancing one component exponentially boosts Adherence. As we discuss each of the three components, you will see the connections and notice that Focus, Competence and Passion are not three distinct and separate elements; rather, they are interconnected dynamics that influence and build upon each other.


The quality of your strategy is certainly important. However, it
is not the primary determinant of victory. Winning is achieved through Adherence. Winning depends less on a brilliant plan than on consistent actions.

About LeeColan: | Lee J. Colan, Ph.D. is a high-energy leadership advisor, engaging speaker and popular author. His 12 practical books that have been read and applied by leaders at virtually every Fortune 1000 company and thousands of smaller organizations. Lee has published two prior manifestos with ChangeThis (Downturn Leaderhsip and Quit Managing your Time) Julie Davis-Colan is an innovative business consultant and a compelling speaker. Julie turns vision and opportunity into a profitable reality. Julie’s passion for leadership and life create an infectious energy for clients and audiences.

Web site: http://www.theLgroup.com