The Importance Of Knowing What Is Important

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

“If Everything Is Important, Then Nothing Is.”

Experienced leaders understand the power behind the above statement. They know if their focus is spread too thin – on too many projects or objectives – then they will not be able to effectively lead any issue. Effective leaders take time to first identify the key issues that will have the most impact on their strategic goals and long-term viability.

In doing so, leaders need to discern 2 types of matters. Issues that will provide a competitive advantage (like effective marketing, service models, financial models, innovation,...) and second, issues that will protect and enhance the internal health of their organization (like eliminating politics, retaining key employees, maintaining healthy communication channels,…)

Though such a balanced approach may be intuitive to most Executives – the reality is most leaders tend to focus on the first issue at the expense of the second. Most Executives are quickly drawn to topics that address their competitive advantage – and put off (or neglect) improvements which will enhance the overall health of their organization.

Research shows that the opposite should be the case. Studies have shown that if your organization is “healthy,” that health will more naturally lead to higher levels of innovation, service, and a growing financial bottom line. Unhealthy organizations are not able to sustain such improvements.

** Excellence is the result of good habits.

Therefore as a leader, make sure you are developing daily habits which:
1) Do not spread yourself too thin in your organization.
2) Balance your focus on both issues of “competitive advantage” and “organizational health.”