The Simple Seven
High-leverage habits designed to direct and magnify your leadership intelligence
Take 30 minutes each week to step out of the weeds and ask: What are the 1-2 most important shifts I need to lead right now? What conversations or decisions will unlock progress?
THE WEEKLY ZOOM OUT
1
Keep role definitions, priorities, agreements, and decision rights explicit. In every key meeting, ask: Who owns this? What does success look like? What’s the next move?
DRIVE CLARITY
2
When something feels off—a misalignment, an avoidance, a swirling issue—name it early. Not with blame, but with curiosity: “Can we pause here? I’m noticing something we haven’t said yet.” Front load the thing you are avoiding to the beginning of the week. Ask, “What am I avoiding?”
NAME THE TENSION
3
Use questions to unlock ownership and strategic thinking. Swap asking for telling. Use the “5 Strategic Questions” to seed your list of great questions to ask.
LEAD THROUGH QUESTIONS
4
GIVE RECOGNITION WITH PRECISION
5
Recognize effort and impact regularly—not just outcomes. Be specific about what worked, why it mattered, and how it supports the team’s shared goals. Recognition builds energy, clarity, and trust.
Leadership isn’t just execution. Block 90 minutes a week to think about the business, not just operate in it. Ask: What am I not seeing? Where is my leadership needed most right now? How can I build greater trust or accountability? What is the #1 thing holding us back?
PROTECTING TIME TO THINK
6
Follow through builds trust. When you say you’ll do something—a decision, a resource, a hard conversation—do it. Or communicate clearly when priorities shift. Get clear on open loops and close them.