What I Tell Every Leader Who Wants a High-Performing Team
Yesterday, someone asked me the best piece of advice I’d give to someone working in organizational performance. Honestly, this advice applies no matter who you are — an external consultant like me, an internal partner supporting leaders, or a manager who just wants to run a stronger team.
Here it is:
✨ Hold the goal tight, but the tactics loosely ✨
Sounds simple, but here’s why it matters…
Goals vs. Tactics (and why we confuse them…)
Too often, people pursue tactics masquerading as goals.
“We need training”
“We need a new system”
“We need more meetings”
But those aren’t goals. The real goal might be:
More effective supervisors
Clearer communication
Stronger execution on projects
Training (or any other fix) might help… but only if it’s the right tactic for the actual goal.
Why This Shift Is a Game Changer
When you hold the goal tight, you stay laser-focused on what you’re truly trying to achieve.
When you hold the tactics loosely, you stay open to trying different approaches until you find what actually works.
If you’ve been solving the same problem again and again with no results, chances are you’re either:
Chasing the wrong “goal” altogether, or
Stuck on one tactic that doesn’t actually solve the problem.
How to Apply It
Next time you’re facing a challenge, pause and ask:
What’s the real goal here?
Am I holding too tightly to a tactic instead of the outcome?
What other options could get me to the goal more effectively?
This mindset will change how you lead, how you problem-solve, and how fast your team performs.
High-performing teams don’t come from being married to one tactic. They come from being clear on the goal and flexible on the path to get there.
So, what’s the goal you need to hold tight right now?
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Yesterday, someone asked me the best piece of advice I’d give to someone working in organizational performance. Honestly, this advice applies no matter who you are — an external consultant like me, an internal partner supporting leaders, or a manager who just wants to run a stronger team.
Here it is:
👉 Hold the goal tight, but the tactics loosely.
Sounds simple, but here’s why it matters…
Goals vs. Tactics (and why we confuse them…)
Too often, people bring me tactics masquerading as goals.
“We need training.”
“We need a new system.”
“We need more meetings.”
But those aren’t goals. The real goal might be:
More effective supervisors
Clearer communication
Higher team performance
Training (or any other fix) might help… but only if it’s the right tactic for the actual goal.
Why This Shift Matters
When you hold the goal tight, you stay laser-focused on what you’re truly trying to achieve.
When you hold the tactics loosely, you stay open to trying different approaches until you find what actually works.If you’ve been solving the same problem again and again with no results, chances are you’re either:
Chasing the wrong “goal” altogether, or
Stuck on one tactic that doesn’t actually solve the problem.
How to Apply It
Next time you’re facing a challenge, pause and ask:
What’s the real goal here?
Am I holding too tightly to a tactic instead of the outcome?
What other options could get me to the same goal?
This mindset will change how you lead, how you problem-solve, and how fast your team performs.
High-performing teams don’t come from being married to one tactic. They come from being clear on the goal and flexible on the path to get there.
So, what’s the goal you need to hold tight right now?