August 25

Precision

Consider the most effective leader you know. Why are they so great at their work? I’m certain words likecompetence,curiosity, andtrustworthi- nesscome to mind, and those qualities are definitely important. But there is another quality of effective leaders that we often overlook: precision.

Good leaders, especially those who lead creative work, are precise about their expectations. They are precise in how they communicate with their team. They are precise in how they share feedback about the work. There is little ambiguity in their communication.

When their work is complex, many leaders become unclear in how they communicate. They want to hedge their bets in case they are wrong, so they lack precision.

Great leaders, on the other hand, are clear even when they are uncertain. This is also true of creative pros and the work they produce. They have a clear point of view even when they are uncertain that point of view is the right one.

To be effective as a creative pro, you must communicate and create with precision even when you are uncertain.

QUESTION

Where do you lack precision in your communication, your relationships, your work? How can you exhibit more precision today and be clear even when you are uncertain?