S6. Focus on the Main Thing – Coach and Practice
This behaviour develops a leader’s ability to concentrate effort and attention on the actions that create the greatest impact.
Behaviour focus
Supporting leaders to simplify, prioritise, and sustain focus despite competing demands.
Purpose
To avoid initiative overload by keeping people’s energy directed toward what matters most.
| Action Steps | Key Questions | Practice |
| Identify the main thing. | What one change would make the biggest difference if done consistently? | Ask the leader to name their current “main thing” in one sentence. Practise explaining it clearly to a colleague. |
| Eliminate or delegate distractions. | What can be removed, paused, or passed on to protect focus? | Review their weekly schedule together. Ask them to cross out anything that doesn’t serve the main thing. |
| Reinforce alignment. | How will you keep reminding people what the main thing is? | Practise the 60-second version of the main-thing message for use in briefings or meetings. |
| Reflect on drift. | What signs show that focus is slipping? | In the next coaching session, review evidence of whether time and talk have matched the stated priority. |