"People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.” – Steve Jobs
Seems to me this applies to all of us.
When you are managing other people, are you trying to do 1000 things? Are you asking your team to do 1000 things? What if we let ourselves and others shine at one thing at a time?
This week, pick a priority for your team, broadcast it and reward them with acknowledgement for staying on task.
If they change direction due to a new, competing priority, that is also worthy of acknowledgment. They had to make a choice, which is a key component of empowerment. Reward that too!