Part III

Seize Great Opportunities

To rank as a masterpiece, a work of art must stand as a supreme and timeless accomplishment. Creating one work this extraordinary could be the crowning glory of any artist’s life. And among the few who have achieved the remarkable distinction of producing a masterpiece in more than one branch of the arts, Michelangelo Buonarotti stands almost totally alone. His vast number of creations includes the vivid biblical scenes that grace the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the heroic marble statue of David. During his own lifetime, he was called divine.

—Biography: Michelangelo, Artist and Man, A&E Television

Between finding and seizing an opportunity is a great canyon that swallows most opportunity finders. In researching this book, we analyzed how more than 100 highly successful people bridged that canyon. We’ve categorized what they did into the two most powerful keys to great execution, shown in the diagram on the previous page.

Great execution begins with design, and the next leader is a master of it.