#412 – August 24, 2025

Getting to the Heart of What Matters

Hello, fellow strategists!  In this edition we focus on getting straight to the heart of matters — strategically trimming off-target activities, discovering the core purpose for your life, coping with the “hyperactive hive mind”, separating the promise of AI from the hype, and using five simple phrases to advance your influence. Enjoy!

 

Quick Takes

Cut what underperforms, duplicates, or strays

When budgets tighten, tough choices are inevitable. A recent Science.org story on federal cuts to Canada’s science programs noted some criteria that are surprisingly useful for any manager: take a hard look at programs and activities that are “underperforming, not core to the mandate, duplicative, or misaligned with priorities.”

Using this framework helps you assess initiatives objectively, rather than relying on gut instinct or a tendency to protect pet projects. It encourages clear-eyed decisions about where resources can have the greatest impact, and provides a rationale when you need to defend necessary cuts. A structured, principle-driven review will help keep your focus on mission-critical work and avoid wasted effort.

Our takeaway was to focus on what matters: cut what underperforms, duplicates, or strays from your core mission.

 

How to Find Your Life Purpose

Daniel Pink has sparked some thoughtful summer discussions  with the seven questions in his YouTube video on discovering your life purpose— they go deeper than just asking friends “what am I good at?” or “what’s your passion?”  

Try answering these practical prompts to uncover what truly drives you:

• What made me weird as a kid? (What drives you in spite of the social environment?)
• When do I lose track of time and sense of self (your flow state)?
• What do people consistently thank me for?
• What’s my one sentence (that will sum up your life)?
• Where can I make my biggest contribution?
• What would I do if I didn’t have to make money?
• What will I regret when I’m 90? (Use tomorrow’s perspective to guide your choices today.)
  

Even small reflections on these questions can reveal patterns that point to your true purpose—and maybe spark the next “aha” moment over a patio conversation.

 

AI: Mind the Gap Between Promise and Practice

While we embrace the promise of artificial intelligence tools, two recent stories are a reminder to keep our heads clear about AI:

• Don’t cut the juniors:  Amazon cloud chief Matt Garman warns that replacing entry-level staff with AI is “one of the dumbest things” he’s heard. New staff are affordable, quick to embrace AI tools, and critical for filling tomorrow’s talent pipeline. AI should augment —not replace— your team.
• Most AI projects flop:  A new MIT study found 95% of AI initiatives produced no real benefits, even after billions in spending. Buying proven AI tools worked better than building pilots, but most efforts still fell flat in terms of return on their investment.

Whether for business, public service, or the non-profit sector, the cautionary note is the same — use AI where it helps people and delivers real impact, not where it undermines talent or wastes scarce resources.

Clarification (Sept-2025): Above, we highlighted an MIT study that found 95% of AI initiatives produced no real benefits. But some important context was omitted. The study’s methodology was sound, but its findings applied only to large organizations measuring results over a short six-month period. It also focused on generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT and similar tools), not the broader spectrum of AI technologies such as predictive analytics, machine learning or neural networks. This context is essential for accurately interpreting the report. We thank our readers for bringing this oversight to our attention.

 

8020Info Spotlight:

Five Simple Phrases to Boost Your Influence

Ever wonder why some people walk into a room and instantly command respect? Often, it’s not just their résumé — it’s how they communicate. Executive coach Melody Wilding notes that small shifts in language can give you an air of authority and influence, even before you have the title to match.

Here are five practical phrases to sharpen your impact:

• Frame the choices: “Our options are A, B, and C. My recommendation is…” Instead of rambling, lay out options clearly and state what you believe is best.
• State what you see:  “Here’s what I’m seeing…” Share observations with confidence rather than hedging — it builds trust in your judgment.
• Connect to results:  “Which means…” Don’t just report activities. Show how your work delivers outcomes that matter to the organization.
• Make the ask:  “What we need next is…” Be clear and specific about what action is required — don’t leave busy leaders guessing.
• Probe the pushback:  “What’s behind your reaction?” If you sense resistance, ask questions to uncover real concerns and adjust accordingly.

Authority often comes down to clarity and conviction in how you communicate. Try weaving these phrases into your next meeting or email — you may find others naturally start looking to you for leadership.

 

For Your Reading List:  Coping with Hive Mind

In A World Without Email, Cal Newport critiques the “hyperactive hive mind” —the endless swirl of emails, chats, and pings— that fragments attention and heightens stress. Drawing on models from Getting Things Done (GTD) and Deep Work, he urges replacing inbox-driven chaos with clear processes and structured workflows. While organizations may face cultural and resource hurdles in redesigning how we collaborate, Newport shows how streamlined systems free up time for mission-focused work and reduce burnout. A practical, provocative read.

 

Closing Thought:  On Being Ready

“Preparation is never wasted, regardless of outcome.”
— legendary football coach Bill Belichick.