Clarity in the Fewest Words Possible

This is the season when businesses and individuals reflect on their goals and outline their strategies for the upcoming year. Over the past two decades, I've conducted thousands of "clarity processes," helping leaders define their business and personal strategies and the core value propositions at the heart of these strategies. I've consistently found that the most effective strategies are those communicated in the fewest words. There is a direct inverse correlation: the fewer the words, the stronger and more successful the clarity of the strategy.

Let me illustrate this with a story from my consulting work with Providence Health (now Providence St. Joseph Health) several years ago. The Oregon region of Providence (which uniquely included a complete system of care--hospitals, specialty care centers, primary care, and health plan) faced the challenge of articulating an integrated 5-year strategy. Amidst the intricacies of the healthcare landscape, our goal was to distill a guiding principle that would simplify and guide decision-making and align behaviors at all levels. We condensed the strategy into three impactful pillars and only eight words: Know Me, Care For Me, Ease My Way.

This patient-centric articulation of the strategy wasn't just a collection of words; it was a concise roadmap that organized the complexities of the healthcare system in the minds of Providence's decision-makers. It meant that systems had to connect the different providers so that patients were known and cared for in an integrated way. It meant culturally that the healthcare experience had to be personal and aligned with the Providence mission. It meant patients had to experience the entire journey seamlessly and easily, especially during traumatic times. I don't think anyone in Providence would say that they executed perfectly. But this simple and memorable articulation of the strategy was a beacon of clarity for decision-making and behaviors at all levels. It guided the Oregon region for many years to come.  

The lesson here is that there is a direct correlation between brevity and the "stickiness" of clarity. And the level to which the clarity sticks is what leads and aligns teams to higher levels of success. The less clutter in articulating the strategy, the more efficiently you can focus and execute.

This principle extends beyond business. In our personal lives, clarity of thought and expression accelerates progress toward what we want. When articulated succinctly, goals create a mental pathway that streamlines decision-making. It's akin to choosing a high-speed highway instead of navigating through a maze of words and ambiguity.

In essence, clarity is the compass that guides us through the maze of choices. Whether formulating a corporate strategy or navigating personal growth, the fewer words it takes to express our intentions, the faster we can chart our course and reach our destination.

"Clarity is the compass that guides us through the maze of choices."

So, this year, when you articulate your personal and business goals and strategies, embrace the power of clarity in the fewest words possible. Get to the point. Be specific. 

And shorten your path to success.