People's Clarity on Clarity is Limited

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In today’s rapidly changing world, many people and organizations feel that they have a strong sense of their purpose, but they often lack clarity about where to execute it. Inspired by Marshall Goldsmith ’s leadership principles, it becomes clear that people’s clarity on clarity is limited.

Most individuals think clarity is equivalent to having a defined purpose, but it’s more than that. True clarity focuses on where you execute your purpose—how you show up in the world and serve those who matter most to your mission.

The Misconception of Clarity

It’s a common misconception that knowing your purpose means you have clarity. While understanding your purpose is important, real clarity lies in knowing where to execute it. This means identifying the space, the audience, and the specific problems you solve.

For example, the Customer Point of Possibilities (CPoP) framework I developed focuses not on the broad notion of purpose but on the precise space where that purpose gets executed. Your CPoP boils down to two things: who you serve and what specific problem or aspiration you address for them. If you can articulate this in 10 words or less, you have clarity. However, most struggle with this task, revealing how limited their understanding of clarity truly is.

Why Clarity on Execution Matters

Understanding where to execute your purpose is essential for focus and alignment. Without this, even the clearest vision or mission statement becomes meaningless. Clarity of execution means you can consistently show up in the right places, serve the right people, and address the right problems. When people lack this clarity, they struggle to take purposeful action.

Here’s why clarity on execution is critical:

• Precision in focus: Knowing where your purpose is most impactful prevents you from spreading yourself too thin.
• Consistency in action: Clarity allows you to align your actions with your goals, making it easier to maintain credibility.
• Targeted communication: A clear focus on where you execute your purpose enables you to communicate more effectively with the people you aim to serve.

Clarity is essential for credibility because when people know where and how you deliver value, they are more likely to trust and recommend you.

Moving Toward True Clarity of Execution

How do you move from vague purpose statements to clarity of execution? First, recognize that clarity is about precision and specificity in where you act, not just what you stand for. As Goldsmith often emphasizes, clarity comes from focusing on outcomes and asking the right questions. Here’s how to improve your clarity of execution:

• Define your CPoP: Identify the exact audience you serve and the specific problem you solve for them.
• Map your playground: Think of your CPoP as defining the “playground” where you execute your purpose. This is where your efforts will have the most impact.
• Focus your actions: Once you know your CPoP, direct your efforts to align with that space, ensuring you’re always working within the playground that aligns with your purpose.

The Continuous Journey of Clarity

Achieving clarity on where you execute your purpose is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process. As your audience evolves and their needs shift, so too must your understanding of where your efforts will make the most impact. Regularly revisiting your CPoP ensures that you stay aligned and relevant.

The real challenge is not in defining your purpose but in determining where to execute it effectively. Clarity is about identifying the space where your purpose intersects with the needs of your audience. By refining how you focus your actions and aligning your purpose with where it can be executed best, you strengthen both your impact and your credibility.