The Leadership Hack You’re Probably Missing

When teams underperform, most leaders assume it’s a motivation problem. The reality is that it’s usually a clarity problem.

Think about it: if your people don’t know what they should be doing, or when it should be done by, it doesn’t matter how motivated or talented they are. Success becomes nearly impossible.

Why Clarity Matters More Than You Think

Clarity is one of the most overlooked drivers of high performance. Leaders often think they’re giving people “freedom” and “autonomy” — but what they’re actually giving them is confusion. Without clear expectations and timelines, autonomy turns into chaos.

Clarity creates confidence. When people know exactly what’s expected of them and when it’s due, they can focus their energy on doing great work instead of second-guessing what the leader really wants.

The Two Hacks Most Leaders Overlook

So what does clarity look like in practice? It comes down to two simple (but powerful) moves:

1. Set Clear Expectations

Define what “done” looks like. Whether it’s:

• An entire role (“Here’s your job on the team”), or

• A single task (“Here’s how I’d like this report formatted”),

…don’t leave your people guessing. The more specific you are, the easier it is for your team to deliver results.

2. Set Clear Deadlines

Tell people exactly when you need the work. Without a clear “by when,” projects get deprioritized, delayed, or dropped altogether. Deadlines help people prioritize and build trust that they’re on track.

Isn’t This Just Micromanaging?

NOPE :) Clarity is not about controlling every detail — it’s about setting the guardrails so your team can operate with confidence and autonomy. Think of it like a coach calling the play: the team still runs it, but everyone knows the plan and the timing.

Your Challenge This Week

Take a look at your team and ask yourself:

• Where can I be more clear about what’s expected?

• Where can I be more clear about when it’s due?

Then, take it a step further: check in, offer support, and use these moments as opportunities for growth and development.

Clarity = performance :)

• Transcript

  [00:00:00]

  Two ways you can increase clarity this week.

  Help someone understand what they should be doing and when they should be doing it by. And yes, it really is that simple.

  One of the number one things that helps people perform highly in their role is clear information.

  If someone doesn't know what they should be doing and when they should be doing it, by, of course, they're not going to succeed.

  This can be as macro as, here's what your job is on our team. It can be as micro as,

  here's how I'd like this report done.

  Too often I see leaders think they're giving their teams autonomy and freedom to do their work when actually they're just making it confusing. 'cause people don't really know what they should be doing or when they should be doing it by.

  So my challenge for you this week is pretty dang simple.

  Take a look at your team, take a look at the people you're working with and see where you can be more clear with what should be done and by when. Bonus points for checking in to see how they're doing and offering support and development.