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Ann Latham on the Power of Clarity
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Ann Latham is author of The Power of Clarity (Bloomsbury 2021) and The Clarity Papers, two books that have made her the leading expert on clarity—where it is, where it isn’t, how to create it, why it is so uncommon, and its incredible and under-appreciated power.
Leaders and employees are under relentless pressure to become faster, more efficient, and more adaptable in the face of change. People are stressed, and organizations aren't performing as well as they could.
How can we continue to do more with less? How can we possibly work smarter, not harder?
In this conversation, we talk about Latham's new book, The Power of Clarity. In it, Latham points out the distinction between what she calls "cognitive objects," such as ideas, decisions, and plans and "physical objects" such as products and services.
Latham explains that the vast majority of our improvement efforts over the previous decades have been focused on physical processes that move products and services out the door. Those processes are clearly defined, with clear objectives and priorities. Physical processes and their outcomes are visible and measurable.
Meanwhile, most knowledge workers, managers, and other non-production people spend their work days trying to move cognitive objects, without the benefit of clearly defined processes and priorities. They are operating in what Ann Latham calls the ‘cognitive zone,’ which is currently the land of ‘disclarity.’
Latham stresses that in the cognitive zone, there are six cognitive objects that represent tangible progress--progress that completes one step and leads to another. These are:
- A decision
- A list
- A plan
- The solution to a problem
- Confirmation
- Authorization
If you want to make real progress, she says, you had better be clear as to which of those six you are pursuing at any given moment.
When you have a clear process, you become much more efficient. You involve the right people at the right time, and deal effectively with the emotions that can make decisions difficult.
Latham’s advice also addresses the importance of avoiding ‘shoulds,’ confronting procrastination, and the role of self-awareness. She provides a surprising example of how different people measure their own success differently and often unconsciously, and how bringing this to light can ensure a good match between the boss's/organization's objectives and the employee's objectives.
Learn more about Latham’s work and how your organization can harness the power of clarity at power-of-clarity.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.
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