Focus

Success in golf eludes me consistently. I always try to do the 10 or 15 things that will result in a great shot. That yields confusion, and sometimes comedy, but rarely success.

Managers can have the same problem. I’ve written about the many managerial tasks: culture, strategy, execution, communication, hiring, training, performance reviews, team building, managing change, anticipating problems and setting goals. No manager can tackle all those every day.

Managers ignore individual tasks at their peril. Good managers block out time to address each responsibility with an eye to urgency. As in golf, a little focus can drive success.

– Kip Caffey, Cary Street Partners