Creating Clarity and Focus
The role of a leader is to hold the focus and the vision for the team. If the leader isn’t maintaining focus while communicating, the team just can’t follow.
This message was really driven home to me recently when I took part in an obstacle challenge on horseback. I needed to know what the goal was and I needed to communicate that goal with my whole body, mind, and mostly my eyes. I needed to have my focus locked on the goal in order for my horse to be my partner.
Professional photographer Maria Marriott was present to capture this moment. I was making the turn to enter into an obstacle that required a level head, accuracy of foot placement, and three different speed transitions in order to successfully complete the challenge.
When I looked closely at the photo taken by Maria, what I noticed was how my body, my eyes, and my energy were totally focused on where we were heading. And my horse was in complete alignment with me.
Had I become distracted and looked to the left or the right, or shifted my body weight suddenly, we would have missed our mark, because my horse would have followed.
When you are leading it is essential to be clear on the direction you want the team to go, and use all the aides available to you to communicate that direction. By aides, I mean managing your emotional energy, using your words, and your focus.
Steps to help you create clarity and hold focus on direction:
Clearly state the end goal. Communicate it in a few different ways (verbally, by email, write it on a whiteboard, make a sign).
Check in with the team for understanding. Ask them what they heard, how it impacts them, and how they plan to take action to help achieve the goal.
Reiterate the goal often with gentle cues, reminders, and frequent acknowledgement of actions or decisions that move the team closer to the goal.
Eliminate confusion by communicating changes or adjustments as clearly and quickly as you can.
Empathize when things are hard. Avoid becoming defensive, frustrated, or pushy. People can best solve problems when they are feeling understood and supported.
Be open to feedback that may indicate problems. If my horse suddenly slowed, veered off course, or changed gait without being asked, she is giving me feedback either about my leadership or the plausibility of success that I need to hear and consider.
As the leader your primary role is to hold the vision and let people know where to keep their focus. It isn’t always easy. But it is easier than managing a team who goes off course and loses sight of the goal.
Which of these steps are you going to incorporate first?