The CEO’s Real Job: Focus on the Critical Few, Not the Important Many
In fast-growing companies, everything can feel urgent.
New ideas. New fires. New goals. Every week, something else competes for attention.
But here’s the hard truth:
If everything is a priority, nothing is.
The most effective CEOs and COOs aren’t doing more — they’re doing less.
They focus relentlessly on what actually moves the business forward.
That’s not just a skill. It’s a discipline.
The Hidden Cost of Lost Focus
When leaders lose focus, teams follow.
And the ripple effect is costly:
- ❌ Teams chase conflicting goals
- ❌ Managers waste time on low-leverage work
- ❌ Strategy becomes reaction
- ❌ Culture turns chaotic
Focus isn’t just personal — it’s organizational.
It starts at the top and cascades down.
How High-Performing Leaders Stay Focused
1. Define the “Critical Few”
Focus on 3–5 strategic priorities per quarter.
Align every team and meeting around those outcomes. Revisit weekly.
2. Use the 2-Hour Mindset
If you only had two hours a day to lead — what would you do?
Now build your calendar around those things. Ruthlessly.
3. Create a “Not-To-Do” List
Great leaders don’t just decide what to work on — they decide what to ignore.
Protect time and energy by saying “no” more often.
4. Make Vision Your Filter
A clear Vivid Vision® turns decisions into alignment.
If the task doesn’t move you toward the 3-year picture, it’s probably noise.
Focus Is How You Scale
You don’t grow by doing more.
You grow by doing the right things — consistently and without distraction.
But staying focused is harder when you’re leading alone.
That’s where we come in.
Surround Yourself With Leaders Who Scale With Intention
COO Alliance is the premier peer group for second-in-commands building companies that scale.
Learn how top COOs focus their teams
Execute faster by aligning priorities
Collaborate with peers who’ve been there
Because the right focus — paired with the right support — changes everything.
