On doing less, but better

One of the things I’ve learned from working with founders and creative leaders in the hospitality industry is that their biggest challenge is rarely a lack of ideas. If anything, it’s the opposite.

The people we work with are curious, imaginative and drawn to possibility. Ideas come easily. New projects, collaborations, concepts, improvements - they see opportunities everywhere.

But leadership isn’t about having the most ideas. It’s about choosing which ones deserve your time.

This is often where my team and I come in. We tend to help founders in 4 main ways:

1. Creating the space to think.

Before we can prioritise, we first have to choose the right priorities. That means creating the space to step back and ask better questions. What really matters right now? What will move the business forward? And just as importantly what are we not going to do?

2. Helping them choose the right priorities.

We look at the ideas on the table and agree the criteria for what makes a project worth pursuing or goal worth setting and what doesn’t.Not every good idea needs to happen now. We identify the few things that will make the biggest difference and give them the attention they deserve.

3. Helping them focus.

Once priorities are set, the work is sticking with them. Creative leaders are surrounded by possibilities, so part of our role is helping them structure a plan and stay focused long enough to see the right ideas through to fruition.

4. Offering challenge when it’s needed.

When I see someone getting pulled away by the next shiny opportunity, it’s my job to name it and call it out - kindly, but clearly.

Doing less isn’t about shrinking ambition. It’s about giving the right ideas the focus, time and energy they deserve. Doing less. But doing it better.