Get clear and be clear. As a leader if you do anything very well, be a master of communication so that everyone is clear and aligned toward strategic objectives.

Want people to be both aligned and engaged? Be clear in a way that connects what they desire for themselves to what the business needs from them in their role.

To lead well, you must get clear about where the business, or team, is headed and then you must be clear when communicating this strategic direction and objectives to others so that they might execute brilliantly. (scroll down or click here to find a video tip)

“People are working harder than ever, but because they lack clarity and vision, they aren’t getting very far. They, in essence, are pushing a rope .. with all of their might.” — Stephen Covey

Without getting clear (yourself) you don’t know what success or progress look like. Without being clear, you are not likely to get what you want from others.
If those who must do the right things (and in the right time and order) to achieve the progress you are looking for are not clear about how they can most positively influence strategic objectives, then you are not likely to get what you expect.

Smart and engaged people aren’t mind readers. And they aren’t going to ask if they should do what they did last time or last year if it seemed to work out fine then. If an objective has changed, they need to know. If a variable (which their work influences but they don’t directly see) has changed, they need to know.
Smart and engaged people will do what they think is best. It may not be what is needed.

To gain business momentum you need those closest to the work and customers to execute strategy brilliantly, and successfully achieve strategic objectives.

Clarity is critical to this success.