The Key to Highly Effective Leadership Focus (With Video)

Leadership’s Focus on Clarity Emerges as Key Antidote to Uncertainty

The more challenges you face, the more clear you need to be about which problem is the most important to solve.

Today’s Asking for a Friend is with Dr Avnesh (Avi) Ratnanesan talking about the power of clarity and focus when dealing with today’s “conflict cocktails.”

His answer, figure out your ONE BIG PROBLEM TO SOLVE.

It’s tricky, right? Because there are so many problems.

But when you can define your biggest problem in one sentence, align energy and resources around it, and measure the impact, you create real CLARITY OF FOCUS AND EXECUTION.

Of course, this is vital advice for C-level leaders. But, you don’t need to be a CEO, COO, or a CHRO to use this advice.

It works at a team level too.

Asking For a Friend with Dr. Avi Ratnanesan

Today’s interview is a wonderful deep dive with examples about why laser leadership focus on a single problem is a fast and vital way to align everyone in your team or organization for integrated execution.

3 Vital Questions to Create True Leadership Focus

1. Ask, “What is the biggest problem we face?

When you start with the question, ‘What is the biggest problem we face?’ You immediately focus your team’s attention on the most pressing issue. 

2. How can we articulate that problem in one sentence?

By articulating this problem in one clear and concise sentence, you not only make the issue more digestible but also ensure that every member of your team is on the same page and understands the exact nature of the challenge.

3. What is it costing us? (And, what’s at stake if we don’t fix it?

The next crucial questions, ‘What is it costing us?’ and ‘What’s at stake if we don’t fix it?’ help you quantify the problem in terms of resources, time, and impact. This drives home the urgency and the high stakes involved.

These three questions aren’t just about identifying problems—they’re about setting a clear, focused direction for collective action. This targeted approach simplifies complexity and magnifies the significance of teamwork in overcoming obstacles.

Your turn. How do you create true leadership focus?