Diane sat back after her executive team meeting and sighed.
The list on the whiteboard had twelve “top” priorities.
Twelve.
She knew what that really meant—twelve competing agendas, twelve places to spread her limited resources, and twelve ways to dilute impact.
Jack didn’t let her off the hook.
“Which three of those will actually move the business forward?” he asked.
Diane hesitated. “Well, they’re all important.”
“Important,” Jack said, “is not the same as essential. Alignment isn’t about everyone pushing their favorite project. It’s about everyone committing to the vital few that create real leverage.”
The room went quiet. Diane realized she had been letting the team confuse busyness with progress. The hard truth was that most of their energy was spent chasing initiatives that looked impressive on paper but added little to the bottom line.
That day, Diane cut the list down to three. She tied resources and accountability to those three. The shift was immediate—her team had clarity, and momentum returned.
Leadership lesson: Alignment means choosing what not to do. Clarity on the few essentials is what turns motion into momentum.
P.S. Want more practical leadership shifts like this? Check out Wade’s YouTube channel for deeper insights. https://www.youtube.com/@aimtowinheartbasedleadersh1574