“The primary role of a leader is to signal what matters most.”

When everything is important, nothing is important.

This leadership lesson makes perfect sense. So, why do so many business?leaders go wrong in their pursuit of a “more is better” based philosophy of prioritization? Here’s a?clue, as Greg McKeown, author of?Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, explains: “The word priority came into the English language?in the 1400s. It was singular. It meant the very first or prior thing. It stayed singular for the next five hundred years. Only in the 1900s did we pluralize the term and start talking?about priorities.”

The plural of the word “priority” didn’t even exist until the 20th century!

The primary role of a leader is to signal what matters most. As you learn to discern and communicate the?small number?of things that truly matter most (hint: begin by defining the purpose, core values, and long-term aspirations for your organization), almost like magic, your team will accomplish more in the direction of your objectives.

Once you pare down your priorities, it’s time to ensure they’re?focused and clear. To check, watch for symptoms of poorly defined priorities. If you and/or your?team are struggling with “time management” problems; mired in lots of?activity while achieving very little; or putting out fires as a primary function of management, you’ve got some sharpening to do.

Key Question: How effectively are you signaling what matters most to your team?

Adapted from: Straight talk for Leaders by Mark Green