Clarity is a Byproduct of Structure
Amanda Setili
I help leaders agree on what needs to change (and how). Author, "The Agility Advantage" and "Fearless Growth?". Member, Marshall Goldsmith's 100 Coaches.
Imagine two companies exist in parallel universes. The firms are identical, with one exception. In Universe A, managers propose new initiatives and plans in any manner and format they wish. In Universe B, new proposals are made through a structured process.
Guess which company is more successful?
It’s hard to know what happens in parallel universes. But my money is on Universe B.
Amazon is famous for setting aside 20-30 minutes at the beginning of a meeting to read a written summary of the topic at hand. In this manner, the company makes time for all attendees absorb the content, which produces better outcomes.
This approach motivates the author to invest time and effort in developing a clear point of view, because s/he knows that attendees will read and consider what they have prepared.
In writing the memo, they consider different angles, anticipate and proactively respond to objections, and put forth their recommendations in a logical way.
Another company I know specifies four simple rules for each written memo:
●????? Put the most important points first
●????? Be concise
●????? Use the active voice
领英推荐
●????? Use mostly nouns and verbs, with few qualifiers
These rules alone make for clearer and more focused communication.
Structure can also be used to define how and when team members interact. One leader tells her team: if I have to call you on the weekend, please pick up the phone. In return, I promise to not take more than five minutes of your time. Defining mutual expectations makes it easier for everyone to focus and understand the best ways to interact.
Even this newsletter has structure. I try to keep each issue to less than a page, and to provide you with a single insight you can use at work.
Thanks for reading, and I welcome your thoughts.
If you liked this post,?please share it.?
I help successful leaders and their teams agree on what needs to change and how to make it happen. I am the author of?Fearless?Growth and?The Agility Advantage.?
For more strategies, videos and free materials, please visit?www.setili.com. If you are curious, here are a few quick examples of the work we do. You might also enjoy my Fearless Growth Podcast.
Contact me anytime to discuss your situation and how I can support you.
The Master Negotiator & Body Language Expert - I consult with and advise major corporate clients on maximizing their bottom line by utilizing tailored negotiation and body language strategies.
4 个月Amanda Setili, thanks for the insights. Consciously, I'd not linked clarity with structure in my mind. I wonder what I've been missing as the result of that :). But, you can bet, I'll pay more attention to it going forward. Thanks again for writing a conscious article with actionable to-dos in it ... Greg
Championing disruptive innovation for sustainable, and substantial results | Global Transformations | Senior People and Operations Executive | Executive Coach | C Suite Partner | Ex McKinsey
4 个月Absolutely, Amanda—this is a great reminder. Earlier in my career, I was a strong advocate for structure, but over the years, as multitasking and time demands grew, I found myself being less intentional about it. This year, though, I've found real value in using an assistant—AI, as it happens—to swiftly and efficiently translate my scattered thoughts into a cohesive structured first draft. I don't think I'll be unlearning this habit anytime soon.
Executive Coach and Mentor | Trigger-Free Leadership | Mindset Mastery for Teams
4 个月Great points about the benefits of structure and predictability. I'm curious — do you ever see those elements as constraints on creativity or progress? Is there a time for free-wheeling improvisation? And if so, how can we discern when it's time for which?
Master Coach, Mentor, Supervisor to Smart Ambitious Execs & Boards?Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches?English & French?Neurodivergence
4 个月Allowing time for everyone to absorb content thanks to structured processes is definitely #neurodivergent friendly! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on clarity and structure Amanda Setili
CEO, MVP Executive Development, Coach, Business Advisor, Leadership Expert, Speaker, Facilitator, Author of the National Bestseller "What Lights You Up? Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career"
4 个月Great insights Amanda Setili! Structure helps us all to have a safe place to be creative with clarity around expectations and culture.