Mastering The Rockefeller Habits Checklist™

In 2002, business growth expert Verne Harnish published his seminal best-selling business book Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Growing Firm. It detailed a set of ten 100-year old management principles used by the great John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil and widely considered the wealthiest person in modern history. The Rockefeller Habits were further expanded on in Verne’s subsequent book Scaling Up – Mastering the Rockefeller Habits 2.0 that was also a best seller.

The Rockefeller Habits Checklist™ stands as one of the best frameworks to execute your company’s strategy. It ties into the Scaling Up Growth Tools framework. This simple 10 item checklist that encompasses 40 vital leadership and management habits has already helped over 40,000 companies scale up to over $10 million, $100 million, a few a billion, and beyond! The checklist has reduced the time requirements and inherent stresses that running a business often dictates, and at the same time, it increases the fun, fortune, and cash flow of the company. That’s the goal, right?

How to Implement the Rockefeller Habits:

The best way to implement the Rockefeller Habits is to introduce only one or two each quarter. Your choice of habits to focus on initially is based on what you and your executive team believe will give your company the most benefit. As a result, over a 24 – 36 month period you will make considerable progress on all ten habits. Once you have implemented each habit, in the spirit of lean management, the best practice is to go back to each one for further process improvement. It is our belief at Scaling Up that a firm routine with rhythm is the best methodology, or tool, to effectively implement the habits. As Verne says, “Routine sets you free,” and this has proven to be true time and time again.

What Are the 10 Rockefeller Habits?

The executive team is healthy and aligned.
Everyone is aligned with the #1 thing that needs to be accomplished this quarter to move the company forward.
Communication rhythm is established, and information moves through the organization quickly.
Every facet of the organization has a person assigned with accountability for ensuring goals are met.
Ongoing employee input is collected to identify obstacles and opportunities.
Reporting and analysis of customer feedback data is as frequent and accurate as financial data.
Core Values and Purpose are “alive” in the organization.
Employees can articulate the key components of the company’s strategy accurately.
All employees can answer quantitatively whether they had a good day or week.
The company’s plans and performance are visible to everyone.

Rockefeller Habit #1 – Healthy Team

The executive team is healthy and aligned

1.1 Team members understand each other’s differences, priorities, and styles.
1.2 The team meets frequently (weekly is best) for strategic thinking and renewal.
1.3 The team participates in ongoing executive education (monthly recommended).
1.4 The team is having fun together and is able to engage in constructive debates, and all members feel comfortable participating.

Rockefeller Habit #2 – Team Aligned on the #1 Priority

Everyone is aligned with the #1 thing that needs to be accomplished this quarter to move the company forward

2.1 The Critical Number is identified to move the company ahead this quarter.
2.2 3-5 Priorities (Rocks) that support the Critical Number are identified and ranked for the quarter.
2.3 A Quarterly Theme and Celebration/Reward are announced to all employees that bring the Critical Number to life.
2.4 Quarterly Theme/Critical Number posted throughout the company and employees are aware of the progress each week.

Rockefeller Habit #3 – Meeting Rhythms

Communication rhythm is established and information moves through the organization quickly

3.1 All employees are in a daily huddle that lasts less than 15 minutes.
3.2 All teams have a weekly meeting.
3.3 The executive and middle managers meet for a day of learning, resolving big issues, and DNA transfer each month.
3.4 Quarterly and annually, the executive and middle managers meet offsite to work on the 4 Decisions (Strategy, Execution, People, Cash).

Rockefeller Habit #4 – The FACe and PACe of the Company: Functional and Process Accountability

Every facet of the organization has a person assigned with accountability for ensuring goals are met

4.1 The Function Accountability Chart (FACe) is completed (right people, doing the right things, right).
4.2 Financial statements have a person assigned to each line item.
4.3 Each of the 4-9 processes on the Process Accountability Chart (PACe) has someone that is accountable for them.
4.4 Each 3-5 year Key Thrust/Capability has a corresponding expert on the Advisory Board if internal expertise doesn’t exist.

Rockefeller Habit #5 – Gather Employee Input

Ongoing employee input is collected to identify obstacles and opportunities

5.1 All executives (and middle managers) have a Start/Stop/Keep conversation with at least one employee weekly.
5.2 The insights from employee conversations are shared at the weekly executive team meeting.
5.3 Employee input about obstacles and opportunities is being collected weekly.
5.4 A mid-management team is responsible for the process of closing the loop on all obstacles and opportunities.

Rockefeller Habit #6 – Gather Customer Input

Reporting and analysis of customer feedback data is as frequent and accurate as financial data

6.1 All executives (and middle managers) have a 4Q conversation with at least one end user weekly.
6.2 The insights from customer conversations are shared at the weekly executive team meeting.
6.3 All employees are involved in collecting customer data.
6.4 A mid-management team is responsible for the process of closing the loop on all customer feedback.

Rockefeller Habit #7 – Core Values and Purpose are “Alive” in the Organization

Core Values and Purpose are “Alive” in the Organization

7.1 Core Values are discovered, Purpose is articulated, and both are known by all employees.
7.2 All executives and middle managers refer back to the Core Values and Purpose when giving praise or reprimands.
7.3 HR processes and activities align with the Core Values and Purpose (hiring, orientation, appraisal, recognition, etc.).
7.4 Actions are identified and implemented each quarter to strengthen the Core Values and Purpose in the organization.

Rockefeller Habit #8 – Your Entire Team Can Articulate Your Strategy

Employees can articulate the key components of the company’s strategy accurately

8.1 Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG®) – Progress is tracked and visible.
8.2 Core Customer(s) – Their profile in 25 words or less.
8.3 3 Brand Promises – And the corresponding Brand Promise KPIs reported on weekly.
8.4 Elevator Pitch – A compelling response to the question “What does your company do?”

Rockefeller Habit #9 – KPIs for Everyone

All employees can answer quantitatively whether they had a good day or week

9.1 1 or 2 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are reported on weekly for each role/person.
9.2 Each employee has 1 Critical Number that aligns with the company’s Critical Number for the quarter (clear line of sight).
9.3 Each individual/team has 3-5 Quarterly Priorities/Rocks that align with those of the company.
9.4 All executives and middle managers have a coach (or peer coach) holding them accountable to behavior changes.

Rockefeller Habit #10 – Scoreboards Everywhere

The company’s plans and performance are visible to everyone

10.1 A “situation room” is established for weekly meetings (physical or virtual).
10.2 Core Values, Purpose, and Priorities are posted throughout the company.
10.3 Scoreboards are up everywhere displaying current progress on KPIs and Critical Numbers.
10.4 There is a system in place for tracking and managing the cascading Priorities and KPIs.