- Leadership Essentials with Brett Esslinger
- Posts
- The Power of Clarity
Confusion costs momentum.
And if you lead people — confusion costs people.
That’s why clarity isn’t a luxury. It’s leadership oxygen.
Patrick Lencioni said it best: “If everything is important, then nothing is.”
Leaders often stall out not because they lack passion, but because they lack precision. They’re sprinting hard in 12 directions at once. That’s where the Clarity Worksheet comes in — a simple, powerful tool to help you stop guessing and start leading with focus.
1. CLARIFY YOUR CALLING
Before you can lead others clearly, you have to lead yourself clearly.
Ask: What has God actually called me to do in this season?
Most leaders operate with yesterday’s assignment and wonder why today’s energy doesn’t match. Seasons change — but calling doesn’t. You’re still called, but how that calling expresses itself shifts with time and growth.
The Clarity Worksheet helps you name that:
What’s the unique problem I’m solving?
Who am I called to serve right now?
What does obedience look like in this season?
When you name it, you can aim it.
2. CLARIFY YOUR PRIORITIES
Once you know what you’re called to, the next question is: What matters most right now?
Dr. Dave Martin says, “You can’t do everything, but you can do the most important thing.”
That means not just setting goals — but choosing which goals to ignore.
The worksheet helps you focus by identifying three key priorities that drive your next 90 days. Not ten. Not twenty. Three. Because clarity always demands courage — the courage to say no.
3. CLARIFY YOUR NEXT STEPS
Clarity isn’t theory. It’s action.
It’s not enough to know what matters; you have to build rhythm around it.
Ask:
What’s one action I can take this week that moves me forward?
What do I need to stop doing that’s stealing my focus?
Who needs to know what I’ve decided?
John Maxwell reminds us, “Small disciplines done consistently lead to great success gained gradually.”
Your next step doesn’t have to be dramatic — it just has to be done.
4. CLARITY CREATES ALIGNMENT
When the leader is clear, the team can run.
When the leader is confused, the team is cautious.
Every person on your team should be able to finish these three sentences:
We exist to…
We are focusing on…
We win when…
If they can’t, your next leadership assignment is simple — teach it, preach it, repeat it until they can.
1 Corinthians 14:8 (NLT) says, “If the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?”
Leaders, it’s time to sound the clear call again.
Don’t just run harder — lead clearer.
Because when you find clarity, you’ll find courage.
And when you lead with courage, people follow.
Want to use the Personal Clarity Tool for yourself or your team?
Download today and get to work!
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Clarity doesn’t come from working harder — it comes from slowing down long enough to hear God’s voice and see the path ahead.
This week, take one bold step toward focus. Lead your team with confidence.
Because when you get clear, everyone around you wins.
If this helped you, don’t keep it to yourself.
💡 Forward this email to another pastor, leader, or friend who could use a fresh dose of clarity right now. Let’s raise the level of leadership together — because when leaders get better, the Church gets stronger.
And if you’d like to take this deeper, I’d love to personally lead your next staff meeting or team retreat around the theme of clarity, focus, and momentum. We’ll walk your team through this worksheet, realign vision, and set practical next steps for the season ahead.
👉 Just hit reply and we’ll start the conversation.
Keep leading with clarity and courage,
