If you’re a business owner, team leader, or entrepreneur, you’ve probably been told that leadership is all about having vision. Dream big. Cast a compelling future. Get people excited. And while that’s important, here’s the truth nobody talks about:
You Can’t Win If You’re Carrying Dead Weight. Great leadership isn’t about what you build. It’s about what you’re willing to kill.
Vision gets you started—but focus gets you to the finish line. And focus only comes when you’re brave enough to eliminate what no longer serves you, your team, or your mission.
Here’s the real story of what’s hurting your growth: Too many leaders are weighed down by bloated product lines, outdated systems, confusing strategies, and toxic clients they’re afraid to let go of. These things quietly drain your time, your team’s morale, and your momentum. You’re not stuck because you don’t have a vision—you’re stuck because you’re unwilling to cut what’s holding you back.
Let me show you what great leadership looks like.
When Steve Jobs returned to Apple in the late 90s, he didn’t come in guns blazing with a new invention. He killed most of Apple’s product line. Why? Because the company had spread itself too thin. The result? The iMac, iPod, and iPhone were born from that focus. Not because he added more, but because he chose less—but better.
The same rule applies to your business. If you’re overwhelmed, burned out, or your team seems stuck—look around. Chances are, you’re protecting something that needs to be removed.
- A product line that’s confusing your customers? Kill it.
- A process that eats time and creates drama? Kill it.
- A goal that’s no longer relevant but still on your whiteboard? Kill it.
Leaders create clarity by removing clutter. The best businesses aren’t built on addition. They’re built on subtraction. You don’t need more vision—you need the guts to cut what’s stealing your attention from what really matters. So if you’re serious about leading well, here’s your next step: Don’t ask, What else can we do? Ask: What are we doing that’s keeping us from doing our best work?
What outdated commitment, product, or strategy are you still protecting that’s quietly sabotaging your growth—and are you willing to kill it off today?
Remember, you don’t need to do everything. You just need to do the right things. And that starts by cutting the wrong ones. Do you want to lead with more clarity, focus, and momentum? Start subtracting.
