Focus

The German author and scientist Goethe said, “Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”

Myriad people, challenges, and tasks may vie for our attention and resources. Leaders must focus themselves and their organizations only on the truly important, setting aside the less important and unimportant. Stephen Covey describes this prioritization process as “putting first things first.”

Consistently focus on the relative few things most relevant to your purpose, mission, and values. Resist the temptation to elevate the priority of less important seemingly urgent matters beyond their real impact on your success.

Focus often requires leaders to display the discipline, courage, clarity, and commitment to challenge institutional “sacred cows” and popular notions. This leadership competence is as essential as it is difficult and unpopular. Without focus, individuals and organizations lose their way.