The Red Zone: Focus and Finish

One of the most common and recurring themes that come up in discussion during strategy sessions with executive leaders is a frustration with plans that move forward only to stall out “inside the Red Zone.”

For non-football followers, the term “Red Zone” is used to describe the area of the field close to the end (scoring) zone. Getting there represents successful completion of a stated goal. Why is it that so many organizations set initiatives, and put plans in place to accomplish them only to see them fall short of completion? Do they just run out of steam? Are they subject to changes in initiatives? Are there unanticipated obstacles that get in the way?

Even the best, most thoroughly designed plans cannot yield the desired result if they do not reach completion. Compounding this disappointment is the fact that it’s difficult to judge the relative merits of a plan when it’s left unfinished. What’s going on here?

A useful approach is recommended by author Greg McKeown in his bestselling book “Essentialism.” Simply put, when everything is urgent, critical, and a priority, then nothing is.

Consider the number of times leaders put forward “multiple priorities.” This is almost guaranteed to cause conflict and confusion. The word “priority” by definition, means “so important it needs to be done first.” Simple math would indicate that it is impossible to do more than one thing first.

As essential part of planning is to identify the items that will be most impactful to the benefit of all organization stakeholders and then “prioritize” them. This exercise can be challenging since at some level, everything is “important.” However, a structured process for discussion, dialogue and debate can bring needed order while placing a premium on the need to “focus and finish.”

For more information on ways to help your team gain better clarity and focus, contact me at joe@ajstrategy.com