Organizational Clarity

First let's talk about what clarity is not. When there is no clarity your business is vague, and obscure. It's like trying to drive in the rain without wearing your contacts. How fun is it to work in a vague business? How fun is it to talk with a vague person?

By contrast, the best run companies are best because they are clear. They are clear on the mission, purpose, and values. They are clear on their value to the market. They are clear on their cost to do business. They are clear on their long and short-term initiatives and key performance indicators.

The difference between Positive and Negative Mystery

• Positive Mystery is like asking, “How in the world can 75,750 gallons of water fall per second over the American and bridal veil Falls? And how can that happen day after day, year after year, decade after decade?” This type of question has more to do with our wonder and awe at mystery. It engages the soul and spirit. Positive Mystery is possible when you are already clear about a lot of things.

• Negative Mystery is like asking, “How in the world can we keep getting into this cash flow crunch?” or “Why did I explode it Mary when she told me the project was running behind?” or “Why is one of our best clients taking their business to our competitor?” Because you forgot to get back to them with the answer to their question 3 times in a row, that’s why. Negative mystery comes from a lack of clarity.

For the business, clarity means profit.

Clarity is effective efficiency. This means the right tasks are being done in the right way by the right people at the right time for the right reasons. Effective efficiency makes work simple, not complex. Notice I didn't say easy. Work will always be hard. There will be those days your mother warned you about. But work that is unnecessarily complex is fatiguing. Effective efficiency is leveraged time. And time is money.

By the way, for the individual, clarity means fulfillment. When I am clear on where I'm headed and what it takes for me to succeed, I am more engaged in the moment today while lessening the number of regrets I will face tomorrow.

ACTION STEP

• Define your “ignition questions” (after everyone else has left the office and you’re the last to leave because you own the company and just as you’re putting your key in the ignition to start the car and drive home, what are the key questions you must have the answers to?)

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