Post written by
Andrew Lientz
Senior Vice President of Engineering at Smartsheet, overseeing technology operations, engineering and QA teams.
During a company’s early stage of development, entrepreneurs can be immersed in all aspects of the business, from launching products to crafting the company’s marketing collateral.
In comparison, growth-stage companies require leaders who are comfortable taking a step out of the weeds to focus on the one thing that truly matters (be it creating the product, strategy, sales or hiring).
The challenge, however, comes when leaders at growth companies are unable — or unwilling — to do what’s necessary to maintain focus. By trying to keep an eye on everything, they’re actually focused on nothing.
The result: Long hours are spent working, yet nothing of significance is accomplished. Distraction sets in, resources become scattered and employees don’t feel empowered to take ownership. If you find yourself in a cycle of making too many decisions or burning energy and unable to figure out where to invest your time, you can use these tips to regain focus.
Prioritize: Don’t Get Randomized
While it may be tempting to be involved in all aspects of the business, in order to scale you need to focus on the right things rather than all things.
Gary Keller, author of The ONE Thing, nailed the definition of focus when he wrote: “Not everything matters equally, and success isn’t a game won by whoever does the most. Yet that is exactly how most play it on a daily basis.”
Always be asking yourself and your team: “Why does this matter? What are we trying to achieve? Does this align with the greater goal?”