I’ve sat with many leaders throughout my career and asked, “What is most important right now?” More often than not they respond with a laundry list of items that are drawing on their attention and energy. I usually follow up with the same question again, adding emphasis on the word “most.” Again, they reply back with a list of concerns causing them anxiety and frustration. What I learn at this moment is that I’m working with a leader who has lost focus.
One of the most difficult responsibilities that a leader has to bear is leading with a singular vision. Intellectually, we all know that we can’t serve two visions, but it doesn’t stop us from trying. We say people are the most important thing, when in fact our actions would indicate that it is net profit. It is incumbent upon the CEO and their leadership team to be, what Pat Lencioni refers to as, the “Chief Reminding Officer.” They need to help their team keep the plot by reminding them of the organization’s purpose, how they fulfill it, and what the main priorities currently are. This is easier said than done, however. Here are three tips to help leaders:
- Adopt a consistent meeting rhythm of annual strategic retreats, quarterly priority setting sessions, weekly operational meetings, and daily huddles. In these meetings, you should distill the one big strategic plan into bite size pieces that help vision go into action daily.
- Tell stories that refocus employees on the main thing. In videos, email updates, or whatever method you choose, communicate ways that people are executing on the company’s priorities. Walk the halls reminding people of what the vision looks like and why their work matters.
- People are looking at you not only to tell them, however, but to show them. It’s incumbent upon the CEO and all the leaders of their company to align their work and calendars to move the vision forward. In doing so, the employees who are watching will model that behavior. After all, for those of us who are parents know, more behavior is caught than taught. It’s fine to teach one thing, but it must be reinforced in our daily activities.
Being a leader is hard, and there has never been a time in human history in which change has happened faster. This reinforces the need for a strong vision supported by healthy rhythms, good communication, and integrity to push back against the myriad of distractions we face on an average day. Maintaining our focus and managing our energy in a singular direction is what always gets the best results. After all, we can give a little energy to 15 different projects, or focus on one and still give the same 100%. Next time someone asks you, “What is most important now?”, be ready to give them one answer.