Is That Clear?: Obliterating the Most Insidious Obstacle to Progress
One of the biggest roadblocks to progress isn’t lack of effort—it’s lack of clarity. When people are unclear about what they’re working toward, they struggle to stay motivated, make progress, or take meaningful action. Leaders who help their teams clarify goals and expectations set the foundation for success.
Why Clarity Matters
Without clarity, people operate on assumptions. A vague goal like “improve teamwork” could mean different things to different people. One team member might think it means more efficient meetings, while another might see it as deeper collaboration on projects. If leaders don’t ensure a shared understanding, they risk misalignment, confusion, and missed expectations.
Consider a manager who tells their team, “We need to be more innovative.” Without a clear definition of what innovation looks like in practice, employees may hesitate to act, fearing they’ll miss the mark. But if that manager instead says, “I want us to experiment with new ideas and test at least three new customer engagement strategies this quarter,” the expectation becomes clear and actionable.
How to Achieve Shared Clarity
Define Terms Clearly – If a goal includes vague terms like “better,” “stronger,” or “more effective,” ask, “What does that actually look like in practice?” Break it down into tangible, observable behaviors.
Ask for Specific Examples – If someone says, “I want to be a better leader,” follow up with, “What does a great leader do that you’d like to emulate?” This encourages deeper thinking and helps turn abstract ideas into concrete steps.
Confirm Understanding – Don’t assume that what’s clear to you is clear to others. Ask, “Can you summarize in your own words what we’re aiming for?” This ensures alignment before moving forward.
Create Measurable Milestones – If success isn’t defined, people won’t know if they’re making progress. Instead of saying, “Let’s improve customer service,” set a goal like, “Let’s reduce response times by 20% over the next three months.”
Revisit and Refine – Clarity isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process. Regularly check in to see if adjustments are needed and refine the vision as necessary.
The Business Impact of Clarity
Organizations that prioritize shared clarity experience:
Higher Efficiency – Teams spend less time second-guessing and more time executing.
Stronger Alignment – Everyone works toward the same well-defined goals.
Increased Accountability – Clear expectations make it easier to measure success and hold people responsible.
Greater Motivation – When people know what they’re striving for, they stay more engaged and committed.
The Takeaway
Unclear goals lead to unclear results. As a leader, your role isn’t just to set direction but to ensure everyone understands it in the same way. By defining, clarifying, and reinforcing shared goals, you create a roadmap that drives real progress.
What strategies have helped you achieve clarity with your team? Share your insights in the comments below.
If you'd like to become a conversational grandmaster who looks forward to every interaction — even the challenging ones — you can start with my (and Peter Bregman's) book, You Can Change Other People. (Great book, embarrassing title.) If you'd like to accelerate your progress toward becoming a truly "Trigger-Free Leader," let's talk.
