- Teamwork
- Alignment
- Collaboration
- Trust
- Communication
These words are concepts—ideas—that everyone nods at but defines differently. Which means, in practice, they mean nothing.
What does it actually mean when someone says, “We need to communicate more effectively”?
What kind of communication? About what?
Still, you hear the ambiguous imperatives often:
“We need more collaboration.”
“Until we align, we won’t succeed.”
Concepts like these fall short of reality. It’s like telling someone they need more protein, without explaining what foods have protein.
This is where your leadership matters.
Clarify the Human Imperative
What specific thinking or behaviors are required for your team to succeed?
The next time someone says, “We need more (concept),” ask:
“What does that look like in practice?”
That one question turns abstraction into action. It’s how you create clarity—and call people into the moment.
Your leadership has more meaning when your words do.