Nail The Visible

“Nail The Visible” is an operating philosophy that I have long espoused. I never cease to be amazed at how many people seem to gloss over this most basic (and powerful) of business precepts. The phrase “Nail The Visible” speaks to the importance of nailing initiatives which are visible to your most important constituencies: clients, partners, vendors, co-workers and those you report to, as well as other key stakeholders. In today’s post I’ll share a few brief thoughts on why paying close attention to initiatives in public view is more than just common sense; it’s good business.

Let me begin by stating that I’m not advocating for form over substance, cherry-picking, or any other position that would support spending your time on issues not deemed significant solely because they happen to be in the public eye. Nor am I suggesting that you be anything other than genuine and transparent in your business dealings.  I am however strongly suggesting that public displays of incompetence be avoided by all ethical means.  

The simple reality is that a lack of execution or performance on highly visible matters can have devastating impact to your organization and your career. All of us have observed executives, products, services, business units, and even entire corporations  that have been served-up as sacrificial lambs for nothing less than their association with an untimely public faux pas.

However there is a silver lining here…Just as those who end-up on the wrong side of a public failure create a negative perception, those who complete initiatives that are highly visible, in spectacular form, will be greatly rewarded. Again, I want to be perfectly clear that I’m not suggesting that readers nail the visible and coast through all else, rather, I am merely pointing out that if “Something’s Gotta Give,” then it should not be the tasks, projects, deliverables, and initiatives that are visible to the masses.