I was typing recently, rushing, and stressed to finish something. I don’t remember what it was—an email or a letter—but I was just typing away. Feeling accomplished, I looked up to review my work, and I saw a string of nonsense on the screen:
WHAT IN THE WORLD DID I JUST TYPE?
Nothing made sense. My fingers were just one position off, and the entire message was scrambled. My effort didn’t matter—my hard work, my thought process—all of it was lost when I looked at this mess. This has happened to all of us. Er msy noy (see? I just tried to type We may not …) and lost my train of thought.
As the back-to-school season revs up, I’ve been thinking about my typing mistake. This moment made me consider a lesson in focus and alignment. In both leadership and life, even a small shift in focus can throw everything off. Intentions are not enough sometimes. It’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t line up perfectly, but true leadership is about recognizing when you’re out of alignment and having the focus to correct it.
As we enter this new school year, I challenge you as leaders to take a close look at misalignment. Is your team’s focus clear? Are your goals sharp and well-defined? You do not want to look back and say:
WHAT IN THE WORLD DID I JUST DO? Strengthen your emotional intelligence and master your emotional reactions. Determine what your triggers are and come up with 1-2 back pocket responses to calm yourself when you feel the anger or frustration brewing.
WHAT IN THE WORLD DID I JUST SAY? Be intentional in your language, respond and do not react. Plan what you want to say. It’s ok to say, “Let me get back to you on that.”
This week, take time to realign with your vision. Communicate your expectations explicitly (imagine my voice separating each of those syllables!)—ensure that everyone understands his or her roles and the objectives ahead. Lack of clarity leads to confusion, missteps, and missed opportunities. Don’t wait for things to break down and go crazy—stay proactive, stay focused, and keep adjusting as needed.
Remember, when expectations aren’t communicated effectively, the consequences can ripple through your entire team, causing setbacks and frustration. Let’s lead with purpose, precision, and a relentless commitment to keeping the important leadership tasks aligned. Don’t forget about the people you are leading! Your leadership sets the tone; make sure it’s one of clarity, direction, and accountability.
KEEP RISING, Dr. Kim
