Clear About Clarity | Strategy | 7 Perspectives of Effective Leaders
Hello there! Welcome to my weekly LEAPS.
You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly Wednesday feature or our mailing list. Every Wednesday, I share 5 things using our LEAPS approach:
Learn: something new or an idea
Energy: an energy (good or bad) word and it’s meaning
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge
LEARN
Something Worth Sharing
Clear About Clarity
My ‘learn’ this week has come about from observing several instances of people believing that they are being really clear - and yet the evidence says otherwise. Whether we think about communication and ensuring someone catches what we believe we are sending, or being clear about our needs and wants, clarity seems to be a challenge.
What I see, even if I explain it really well, does not necessarily equal what you see. This is something that we regularly encounter when people believe their business vision is really clear, and yet wonder why people are running around in various directions. There is a difference between thinking you’re being clear and knowing you’re clear. Making assumptions isn’t knowing you’re clear, it is guessing that you are.
The essential - yet often neglected - piece is how we confirm clarity. This is a simple 5 step checklist we find useful:
You first
You need your own clarity and understanding first; get things straight in your mind. Failing to do this just confuses others.Share
This can require several approaches - pictures, written, spoken etc.Check
The vital step of getting things reflected back e.g. “tell me what you think I shared with you”. Make sure you see what has been understood by others.Improve
Taking the time at this point to be even clearer saves time, energy and money later!
Repeat
Many things we do will need to evolve and adjust e.g. strategies. Don’t be afraid to build a re-run of steps to stay aligned.
Much of this is aimed at businesses and teams, but the importance of being clear about clarity is also true for us as individuals and our personal relationships. If we’re not clear about clarity, we risk chaos and overwhelm.
ENERGY
An emotion or energy; a stand-out word / s
Strategy
During a recent workshop with a client, we had many conversations focusing on strategy and strategies.
The origins of the word meant "the art of a general, the science of war". This came from the Greek word stratēgos "general, commander of an army". The word is believed to have been formed from STERE- "to spread" + AG “to drive, draw out or forth, move”.
To think about a strategy as an art - a creative process to ensure progress through challenges and battles is an interesting thought!
ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference
Go Somewhere
My week last week involved travelling to the US for work. This prompted the action of encouraging you to go somewhere different. You might choose a journey, a vacation, a coffee, a walk…just to go somewhere that isn’t usual for you.
PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)
“What can I focus on to improve something?”
You may consider this question in terms of business or perhaps more about yourself in terms of personal development. This was a question that came from wanting to improve communication within a team situation - while a team needs everything to improve, it begins with each person owning their part.
I’d love for you to send me your own stories / thoughts about this. Drop me a line with your answer / thoughts on this question
SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition - my gratitude or to be celebrated.
One Page
You will know that I love condensing books onto one page, but this approach works for so many things. Being able to see everything on one page - whether it’s a strategy, vision or challenge, whilst not always easy, is important. I’m shouting out the process and output when we are able to get everything on one simple page.
BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
The gift is only available to those that subscribe to the weekly LEAPS email
insert sign up form here
The artwork featured in this section is all copyrighted and for private use only. If you wish to use these online, in blogs / features or in presentations etc - we are happy to discuss licences. Please get in touch. The downloads do not have watermarks.
If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.
LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis.
I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:
L: what have you learned?
E: what’s your energy / feeling word
A: what’s one thing you need to do?
P: what are you thinking / processing?
S: who or what can you shout out?
