Stealing Second Base

Narrow the Focus


Do fewer things in order to make a greater impact



Narrowing your focus means you must resist complexity and pursue simplicity.

Narrowing your focus means creating environments as distinctive brands.
· The more you focus, the greater the relevance to you client’s needs
· The more you focus, the better the connection with your client
· The more you focus, the higher the quality of service delivered
· The more you focus, the stronger the impact on your client

Questions to Ask

Identify any activities in your organization that are providing the same step. Which one has the greatest potential to become more effective if you eliminate the other?

Is there an effective practice or process that you should eliminate because it is preventing a more important activity from becoming more effective?

Are there activities, practices, or processes that have become barriers to excellence at your organization?

Create a “not-to-do” list outlining activities your organization shouldn’t do. In other words, decide now what you will never do.

Try to attach a word or short phrase to each of your different services to “brand” its distinctiveness in the minds of your staff.

Assign each person on your team to describe, in one sentence each, every other team member’s primary contribution to the organization. Share and discuss each list.

Adapted from "7 Practices of Effective Ministry" by Andy Stanley and the leadership team of North Point Ministries