Summer is often the time for planning and retreats, and these gatherings frequently result in brainstorming and a host of new ideas to implement in the future. While innovation is an important and necessary function, it can lead to a diffusion of energy as teams want to “focus” on a host of new programs that come from the sessions.
It can be hard to focus on a single key priority, but going deep offers many benefits. It’s likely that concentrating on a single area will yield more quantifiable outcomes, which in turn allow for richer storytelling and greater impact. A narrow focus allows for greater accountability as well, with no hiding behind doing a little on several priorities. It’s stronger if one thing is accomplished rather than bits of many.
Picking one thing to be the focus for the short term is hard. Many things are important, and the temptation is great to address several goals at once. Resist and go deep instead.
