Purpose: Make it simple

One of the most important jobs a leader has is making it simple…

• Simplify the goal.

• Simplify the mission.

• Simplify the tasks at hand.

Think about it. Let’s say you operate a small chain of restaurants. The simple thing you need to do is to deliver a great meal and a wonderful experience to your next customer. We’ll come back to simple in a minute.

There are a lot of moving parts involved in accomplishing this simple mission…

• You need to hire and manage cooks, wait staff, bartenders and floor managers.

• You need to plan appealing menu options and develop and maintain a reliable supply chain for consistent high-quality.

• You need to purchase or lease buildings and equipment––and you’ve got to maintain them.

• You need to stay on top of ever changing laws and regulations.

• You have to market your business and keep an eye on the competition and other threats.

• You need to account for the almighty dollar to make sure you pay your bills, pay your employees, pay your taxes and still stay in the black.

And on top of all that, you need to Inspire, Empower and Guide your people to perform at their very best.

The higher up you go on the org chart, the more complex it gets. But still, your job is to make it simple. Why?

How much does your front line wait staff need to know about zoning regulations, corporate tax law and the difficulty of importing a rare truffle from France that your head chef insists on to make her signature dish?

I could argue that it's very helpful for them to know something about the various moving parts––especially those that directly affect their specific jobs. And it’s always helpful for people in various departments or roles to understand a little about what goes on in other areas, how they’re connected and how each individual can help the other do a great job. You have to determine, at any given time, how much information is enough and how much is overload.

What binds everyone together is the one clear note that rises above the cacophony. It’s your job to find that note and sing it.