For many people, focus is the holy grail of organizational life. Everyone is looking for it yet focus seems elusive. The challenge with focus is that it requires both reflection and decision making both of which require time. Additionally, developing organizational focus requires several people (hopefully the executive team first) to commit time to talk through what the organization wants and needs to achieve its mission. Just the act of gathering a group of busy leaders in a room for this discussion is no small feat but it is step one in achieving focus.
Step two is defining what focus means. From my perspective, it means defining the organizational outcomes, strategies and initiatives that are critical to the success of the organization over a set period of time. Essentially it means developing a plan.
Step three requires identifying the outcomes the organization wants and needs to achieve or in my terms---identifying the BIG WHATS. What are the outcomes that we want to achieve? Why do we want to achieve them? What is the risk if we don’t achieve them? Is there a window of opportunity associated with this outcome? All of these questions will help a team of leaders identify an initial list of BIG WHATS that must be vetted by others in the organization.
While this exercise sounds simple, I encourage you to try it in a small arena and notice the many challenges. First, words get in the way. Second, people often confuse activities and methods with outcomes. Third, many outcomes are potentially valuable but to achieve focus, the team must choose only a few. While identifying the BIG WHAT is difficult, it can be done. Leaders must successfully address the challenges listed above. I'll talk more about these next time but for now ask yourself--what are my BIG WHATS? You'll be surprised to notice how well this question works to focus both your personal and your professional life.
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