We have scheduled our very first Focus Day with you, but our leadership team has never done structured strategic planning before. What mental preparation and pre-reading do you expect from each of us to ensure we do not waste the first hour of our session?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

To ensure we maximize every minute of our first Focus Day, I expect your leadership team to complete a few simple but critical preparatory steps. First, every member of the team must read the book Traction by Gino Wickman. This is non-negotiable because it establishes the shared language and frameworks we will use throughout our engagement.

Second, you must come to the session with an open mind and a willingness to be completely honest. Focus Day is not about presenting a polished, perfect version of your department to me or your peers. It is about identifying where the business is truly stuck.

I also ask each leader to spend thirty minutes reflecting on two key questions: who are the right people in our organization, and are they in the right seats? You do not need to write a formal report or prepare slide decks. In fact, I prefer that you do not.

Just arrive rested, on time, and ready to engage without the distraction of your daily operational fires. We will handle the heavy lifting together in the room, but having that foundational understanding of the tools and a shared commitment to radical candor is what prevents us from wasting any time.