“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.”
– John Lubbock
“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”
– Albert Einstein
Clarity and Credibility. Clarity and Courage. Clarity and Confidence. Clarity and Conviction. Clarity and Conscience. Clarity and Collaboration. Clarity and Unity.
Yes, I do love alliteration, but these words tie closely together from a practical perspective, too. If transformation is our goal, it is incumbent on us as leaders to make sure that we’re “looking for” the right outcomes, so that we see the right path to get us there.
Too often we’re seeking certainty. Instead, clarity should be what we’re looking for.
Clarity provides us with credible means to execute against a vision, and the confidence that we can execute. Clarity gives us the courage of our convictions that where we are going warrants the investment in time, energy, risk and effort. Clarity provides a context for collaboration that assures that we, the collective we, can go forward with a clear conscience because there is only one agenda being pursued.
Clarity is what allows leadership teams to excel. Clarity is what industries, governments, companies, teams and families in transition must have to thrive.
I worry sometimes that we need to do a better job of helping those around us make sure the focus in not just on what we see, but on what we are looking for. I wonder sometimes if we are – across the board – adequately aware that what counts can’t always be easily counted. Even when we’re confident in our direction, it is important to occasionally double-check the compass, and reaffirm that we’re looking for the things that really count.
Unity doesn’t start with “c,” but it fits the gig, because clarity creates unity. Not the blind kind that lemmings-over-the-cliff adhere to, but the kind that reminds us that together, we will make more of a difference than we ever could alone.
Especially if we’re looking for the right things…
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