By Abaasa Joan
Communications Officer, ICPAU
Dr David Kabiswa, Chairman of the Institute of National Transformation has urged managers to place an emphasis on execution to achieve high performance.
He noted a pressing reality that while many managers excel at developing strategies, they often falter when it comes to executing them.
Kabiswa was delivering a presentation on Purposeful Leadership: The Four Disciplines of Execution at the 30th ICPAU Annual Seminar, held at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, Entebbe and online. Drawing on the acclaimed Four Disciplines of Execution (4DX) model developed by FranklinCovey, Kabiswa emphasised that true leadership goes beyond visionary ideas. It requires focus, discipline, and systems that translate strategy into measurable results.
“Most managers know what they need to do. The real struggle is not in planning but in finding effective ways to execute those plans,” he remarked.
Kabiswa observed that organisations frequently get trapped in what he termed, the whirlwind ― the daily operational pressures that consume energy and time, leaving little room for executing long-term strategies. He noted that this challenge is not unique to Uganda common across global institutions. However, he urged Ugandan professionals to recognise the urgency of bridging the gap.
“Execution is the discipline of turning intention into reality. Without it, even the best strategies are nothing more than good intentions,” Kabiswa said.
Kabiswa unpacked the four disciplines of the 4DX model. He explained that organisations must narrow their priorities to one or two critical goals rather than spreading themselves thin. Using the famous example of President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 moonshot declaration, he illustrated how clarity of focus mobilises energy and resources toward success.
He emphasised the importance of distinguishing between lag measures (end results) and lead measures (key actions that drive results). He urged professionals to invest in behaviours and activities that directly influence outcomes. For instance, improving teaching quality is a lead measure that boosts student graduation rates.
Furthermore, he noted that people perform differently when they know they are being evaluated. Kabiswa encouraged leaders to maintain simple, visible scoreboards that show progress in real time.
“The question every team member must be able to answer is, “Am I winning?” Kabiswa advised.
To demonstrate the practicality of the 4DX framework, Kabiswa cited examples of Ugandan institutions that have successfully adopted it. Organisations such as UMEME, ABSA, and Housing Finance Bank have trained internal champions to drive execution and they have seen significant improvements in profits and operational efficiency.
Beyond technical skills, Kabiswa also highlighted the personal qualities required for purposeful leadership. Integrity, resilience, and commitment to accountability were central to his message. He encouraged participants to lead not only with their minds but also with their hearts.
“Leadership is not about issuing directives. It is about inspiring others, creating systems of accountability, and ensuring that the whirlwind of daily activity does not overshadow the goals that truly matter,” he observed.
Kabiswa reminded attendees that purposeful leadership is a journey, not a one-time event.
“The 4DX is not a menu to pick from, but a package. Learn it, practice it, and most importantly, use it to help others build sustainable organisations,” he concluded.
The 30th ICPAU Annual seminar is happening between 3 – 5 September 2025 under the theme, Positioning Professionals for Sustainable Impact. The conference is organised by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) to provide an immersive learning experience for accountants, away from the hustle of everyday work.
The event is organised by ICPAU in partnership with Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Deposit Protection Fund, KPMG, Bank of Uganda, National Social Security Fund, National Identification and Registration Authority, PKF, Standard Chartered Bank, Uganda Communications Commission, NCBA Bank, Financial Intelligence Authority, Centenary Bank, Civil Aviation Authority, Uganda National Oil Company, Stanbic Bank, KCCA, Wazalendo SACCO and Wazalendo Investments, East Africa Development Bank, among other partners.
