begin by asking, “If every other aspect of our team’s performance remained at its current level, what is the one area where significant improvement would have the greatest impact?” This question changes the way you think and lets you clearly identify the focus that would make all the difference.

After producing the list of candidate lead measures, we often hear team members say, “We need to do all of these things.” No doubt they are all good things to do, but the more you try to do, the less energy you have to give to any one thing.

Top performers are thus more than twice as likely to see and interact with some form of compelling scoreboard so they can see if they are winning or not.

People play differently when they are keeping score. There’s a remarkable difference between a game where the leader scores the team and a game where the players own the outcome. It means that the team takes ownership of the results.

When a team moves from having a dozen “we really hope” goals to one “no matter what” goal, the effect on morale is dramatic.

If you are trying to simultaneously execute a number of new goals, each of which requires a high degree of engagement to achieve, you will inevitably be frustrated by your results. Even if each goal can be justified, the demands of the whirlwind leave you with limited capacity for anything new, especially a goal that requires a change in human beha

This is achieved not only by selecting the specific area where you want to achieve breakthrough results (your WIG), but also bringing it into focus by defining a starting line (your current level of performance), a finish line (your desired improved performance), and a deadline for the WIG (the date by which this level must be achieved).

all actions are not created equal. Some actions have more impact than others when you are working toward a goal. And it is those you want to identify and act on at the highest level if you want to achieve your breakthrough result.

Choosing a WIG doesn’t mean you abandon your other important objectives. Your day-to-day responsibilities and metrics are always on your radar. The difference is that when you focus on your WIG, you give your finest diligence and effort in a precise way—because you’re landing a specific plane right now.