Most execution problems aren’t effort problems. They’re direction problems.
We stay busy because “doing something” feels productive. But movement or action without clarity just creates undue exhaustion – and eventually frustration.
I’ve seen this in every stage of business:
- early growth
- plateaus
- reinvention phases like the one Xpleo is in now
When clarity is missing, execution multiplies confusion instead of progress.
The Mistake I’ve Made More Than Once
I used to treat clarity as something that would just emerge through action. It doesn’t.
Action without clarity doesn’t create insight – it creates distracting noise. Meetings and calls pile up. Projects overlap with no progress. Priorities compete for your attention. And suddenly everything feels urgent, but nothing feels decisive or directed.
Clarity isn’t a byproduct of execution. It’s the condition that makes execution effective.
What I Executed on This Morning
Today’s “one thing” wasn’t outward-facing. It was internal – but critical.
I clarified:
- what Xpleo is saying yes to right now
- what we are explicitly not doing
- what types of client we want to work with
- and what winning looks like over the next three to six months
Not empty aspirational language. Real operational clarity.
That single act changed how the rest of the day unfolded.
Why This Matters for Leadership
Clarity is a leadership responsibility.
Teams don’t slow down because they’re lazy. They slow down because they’re unsure which direction actually matters most to the organization and to the CEO.
When leadership doesn’t define clarity:
- people hedge
- decisions stall
- excuses are made
- execution fragments
When clarity is present, momentum feels almost effortless.
The Point of Day 2
If you execute one thing tomorrow morning, make it clarity.
Write down:
- the one (just one – not five) outcome that matters most right now
- what success actually looks like when the outcome is achieved
- and what you’re willing to ignore to achieve this outcome
Don’t start working until that’s defined.
One thing. First thing. Then let the day react to you; not you to it.