Do Big Things

About the Author

Craig W. Ross is the CEO of Verus Global and has co-authored several influential books on leadership and team dynamics, including ONE Team, Degrees of Strength, and Stomp the Elephant in the Office. His work focuses on developing team effectiveness and leadership capabilities. Angela V. Paccione serves as the senior director of client partnerships at Verus Global. She has a background in education and leadership and co-authored ONE Team. Victoria L. Roberts, the president at Verus Global, oversees the execution and scaling of growth strategies. Together, they bring decades of experience in helping organizations and teams achieve exceptional results.

Main Idea

Do Big Things presents the Do Big Things (DBT) Framework, a comprehensive approach designed to help teams achieve extraordinary outcomes by mobilizing their hearts and minds. The book is grounded in the authors' extensive experience across various industries and is supported by empirical data. It emphasizes that successful teamwork in today's volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment requires more than technical skills or resources; it demands a deep commitment to the human elements of collaboration. The DBT Framework consists of seven steps that guide teams in cultivating the necessary mindset and behaviors to succeed in achieving big things.

Table of Contents

1. Commit to the Human Imperative
2. Embody Success (and Leverage Failure)
3. Choose to Contribute, Activate, and Connect Across the Business
4. Exercise Your Barrier-Breaking Authority
5. Focus on What Matters
6. Energize Around a Shared Reality
7. Mobilize Hearts and Minds Forward

Commit to the Human Imperative

The first step in the DBT Framework is to commit to the human imperative. This involves identifying and aligning with the core human qualities and behaviors that are essential for team success. The authors stress that successful teams must understand and embody these qualities, which include empathy, integrity, and emotional courage. These are not just abstract concepts; they are practical skills that teams need to cultivate actively.

To illustrate, consider a team working on a high-stakes project with tight deadlines. The team members must not only bring their technical skills to the table but also demonstrate empathy by understanding each other's pressures and constraints. They must act with integrity by communicating transparently and making decisions that align with shared values. This commitment to the human imperative is foundational, as it creates an environment where team members feel valued and respected, enabling them to bring their full selves to the task at hand.

"No team can do big things by being passive with the human qualities we all know are essential for success." - Craig W. Ross, Angela V. Paccione, Victoria L. Roberts