Simple Truths

Over the past week, I’ve found myself reminding my team—and myself—of a few simple truths in the midst of deadlines, reviews, and conversations. They sound obvious, almost trivial, yet they carry weight. What derails us isn’t lack of effort, but the rush to keep pushing without pausing to check if we are on the right track.

• It doesn’t matter how fast you climb if the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.
• Working harder on the wrong thing doesn’t get you closer to the right outcome.
• You can win the argument and still lose the relationship.
• You have to dim the noise to hear clearly.
• Chasing every opportunity often means missing the right one.
• Perfect preparation is useless if it keeps you from starting.
• Fixing a weakness may not help as much as amplifying a strength.