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Bias For Clarity

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Bias for action. Gets things done. Go-getter. Traits companies big and small look for. And for good reason, you're being hired to do things! However, action is a secondary step that often overshadows the primary step, direction.   Clear direction is the foundation that enables our actions to takeoff. Without it, we're stuck in the mud.  Striving for clarity is an underrated skill. Having the courage to ask ( seemingly ) obvious questions, and to check in, making sure we're all on the same page. "O bvious " questions are a low risk, high reward way to add value. At worst, you'll add confidence to our actions. At best, you discover a misalignment that saves us from a dead-end.  The more people, the more clear we need to be. The bigger the initiative, the bigger the risk of reaching the finish line, only to realize expectations were off.  Success is always uncertain. But we can be certain about what we want and what everyone's job is. Things that can be clea
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The Importance of Small Experiments

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We admire commitment. Colleagues who put in extra hours to meet a deadline. Athletes who push through the pain to achieve the win. Those who simply "gets things done" despite it all. Commitment demonstrates grit and resilience. A strength of character that is often associated with success. 

Conversely, the reverse can hold true. Expressing itself as stubbornness, commitment can be a lack of flexibility and growth that leads to failure. Athletes who stay with the same team despite a poor culture, businesses who double down on a product no one wants. 

Commitment only works when committed to the right things. Knowing what's "right" is the tricky part. This is where testing things out helps. 

Small experiments with minimal resource commitment is a great way to gather data. Data that can point us in the right direction. 

Try out different jobs. Meet different people. Visit new places. Try a variety of hobbies. Unabashedly dip your toes in the spirit of continuous learning. 

Momentum is powerful. Once we get going in a direction, it's gets easier and easier to stay "committed", even when going the wrong way. Small experiments unlocks insights that can guide us. 

Commitment is admirable, but only if done mindfully, balanced with strategic flexibility.

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