In the meeting an executive expresses his realization that the organization needs to change.

During month one, the executive starts a listening tour across the organization to understand what is going on.

This listening tour entails asking what is working, what is not working and what can be improved.

During month two, the executive tries to determine how strategy is interpreted and implemented across the various functional areas of the organization.

The functional areas include Accounting, Administration, Business Development, Customer Service, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Management, Manufacturing, Marketing, Operations, Production, Research and Development Sales and others.

But the executive wants to find out more.

During month three, the executive tries to determine how political influences result in decisions that can be useful or harmful to the entire organization.

The executive does this by finding out which people are the power players in the organization based on revenue generation, number of direct reports and expertise.

But the executive wants to find out more.

During month four, the executive tries to determine how innovation happens in the organization.

The executive does this by understanding the relationship between organizational innovation and individual innovation.

But the executive wants to find out more.

During month five, the executive tries to determine the role of culture and cultural influences across the organization.

The executive does this by understanding that culture is not only about people but it is also about processes and procedures that are put in place across the organization.

But the executive wants to find out more.

During month six, the executive tries to connect all the dots in terms of execution.

The executive does this by assessing the linkage between leadership communications, policy and implementation across human resources, operations and Information Technology with the ultimate goal of understanding what good or bad experiences the internal and external customers have.

Now the executive has a lot information. Since this information was not created/gathered in isolation, great working relationships have been developed and change agents have been activated that can make the organization a better place for everyone.