(Photo courtesy of Charles Deluvio, unsplash.com)
In my experience leading and consulting with leaders, I have found that there is one step that often gets overlooked in the structural process of outstanding leadership. It’s what I call step-progression. It creates systems that foster sustainability. Without it, organizations seem to mysteriously stumble or fall off their perches over time.
Every great leader understands that success isn’t just about completing a task—it’s about setting up the next move. Leadership is a chain reaction, where each action, project, or decision feeds into the next, creating momentum and paving the way for future success. The key question for leaders isn’t just, “Will this work now?” but, “How does this action make what comes next easier, faster, or better?” It’s about thinking two steps ahead while executing with precision in the moment.
Consider the words of Simon Sinek: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” Sinek’s insight reminds us that effective leadership isn’t just about achieving short-term results—it’s about building systems and relationships that make sustained progress possible. A leader who prioritizes this approach creates a ripple effect, empowering their team to work smarter, not harder, on every subsequent project.
The business world offers countless examples of leaders who excel at this forward-thinking mindset. Take Jeff Bezos, who famously focused Amazon’s early efforts on creating a robust infrastructure for online shopping. By prioritizing scalable logistics, innovative technology, and an obsession with customer satisfaction, Bezos didn’t just ensure Amazon’s early success—he laid the foundation for the company to dominate industries ranging from cloud computing to streaming. Each decision wasn’t isolated; it was a stepping stone toward the next big move.
In a team setting, this approach involves more than just achieving immediate objectives. It’s about building processes, developing skills, and fostering relationships that benefit future endeavors. A leader might choose to invest in training employees on new technology, not just because it helps with the current project, but because it equips the team to tackle more complex challenges down the road. Similarly, implementing clear communication systems today prevents misunderstandings that could derail projects in the future.
Leaders can also apply this principle to relationships and culture. Consider Satya Nadella’s transformation of Microsoft’s culture when he became CEO. Nadella focused on collaboration, empathy, and learning—qualities that didn’t just improve the company’s current operations but made it more agile and innovative for years to come. His actions fed into a long-term vision of growth, creating a culture where every project builds upon the success of the last.
This forward-thinking mindset isn’t limited to corporate giants. On a smaller scale, a nonprofit leader might ask, “How does this fundraising event build connections for future campaigns?” A project manager might consider, “How does this deliverable improve trust and communication with our client for the next phase?” These questions create a shift in perspective, turning tasks into opportunities to create leverage for what’s next.
The concept also extends to personal leadership. For individuals, this might mean considering how today’s habits and decisions support tomorrow’s goals. If you’re working on time management, for example, you might focus on streamlining your daily schedule not just to be productive today but to free up time for long-term projects that align with your vision. Each action builds momentum, making the next step feel more achievable.
As leaders, the ability to connect the dots between actions and outcomes is a superpower. It transforms a to-do list into a strategic roadmap. The late Peter Drucker, often called the father of modern management, put it simply: “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” Leaders who focus on how today’s efforts create tomorrow’s opportunities are practicing true effectiveness.
As you navigate your next challenge, ask yourself, “How does this action feed the next? How does this project make the next project easier?” When leaders approach their work with this mindset, they create systems, relationships, and momentum that amplify their impact far beyond the task at hand. Leadership isn’t just about finishing the race—it’s about building a track that makes the next lap faster and smoother.
Bob Fagan has just published “The Little Book of Questions That Matter — A Lifetime Companion For Transforming Your Life.” It is available on Amazon. All proceeds through 2025 will be donated to charity.
