The Power of Focus: Why Leaders Fall Short—and How to Break Through

Nathan Steenport
Sep 30
3 min read

"Always remember, your focus determines your reality" - George Lucas

Over the past few years, our team has worked with well over a hundred educational and business leaders. Time and again, we’ve noticed the same trend: every single person we work with has the capability to achieve both their professional and personal goals. And yet, many still fall short. Why? In most cases, it comes down to one word: focus.

Why Focus Fades

In education especially, leaders often begin the year energized by their goals. But by mid-year or semester, their attention drifts. Competing demands, unexpected challenges, and the desire to be everything for everyone pull them off course. By the end of the year, goals remain unmet—and frustration sets in. The solution is deceptively simple: take ownership of your focus and your time. But simple doesn’t mean easy.

Step 1: Take Ownership of Your Time

You do have enough time to reach your goals. The challenge is in how you use it. Too often, leaders negotiate with themselves—pushing priorities aside in favor of tasks that make them look responsive or present “on the front line.” While this can boost culture in the short term, it becomes a problem if it replaces the work that truly drives results. The fix? Own your choices. No excuses. Either you prioritize your goals, or you don’t. One question I often ask clients is: “What are you willing to give up to accomplish your goals?” When we analyze schedules, leaders almost always find tasks that others can handle, freeing up space for what matters most. It’s not about working endlessly—it’s about working with intention.

Step 2: Clarify What Matters Most

At work, ask yourself: What was I hired to do? What does my organization most need from me? If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor to name the top three highest-leverage actions you can take. Align your goals to those.

For example, when coaching new principals, we narrow their focus to two essentials:

Building and sustaining a strong campus climate and culture.
Leading instruction through observations and data-driven coaching.

It’s not glamorous—but it’s the work that moves schools forward. If behavior is a challenge, build PBIS systems with your team. If you lack instructional coaches, step into that role yourself. The best leaders I serve personally coach teachers and staff using consistent protocols. And yes, there will always be “uncontrollables”—district mandates, budget limits, upset parents. But solutions exist, and they start with the leader’s willingness to own them.

Step 3: Use Your Calendar as a Weapon

A calendar isn’t just for meetings—it’s a mirror of your priorities. Many leaders resist structure, claiming it feels too rigid. My response: are you truly getting as much done as you think? When I coach principals, we begin by aligning their time to their goals. Here are three strategies that make the difference:

Communicate your goals to stakeholders. Let people know why you’re focusing on certain work. This builds understanding and support.
Leverage your secretary. Daily check-ins ensure routine tasks (emails, budgets, scheduling) don’t consume your time. If your secretary needs development, coach them. Over time, they’ll anticipate your needs.
Block at least 40% of your week for priority work. For principals, this often means dedicating two full days to classroom walkthroughs, coaching rounds, and student engagement—stepping into the office only briefly. At first it feels impossible, but once in place, it transforms results.

The Bottom Line

Here’s the truth: you are in charge of your goals and your future. Leaders who succeed don’t make excuses—they take ownership, clarify focus, and discipline their time.

Yes, it might mean working harder for a season while you build capacity in others. But a few months or a year of disciplined focus can pay off in lasting results, stronger teams, and a healthier balance in your life. This is what we do at Steenport Leadership Coaching. We help leaders cut through the noise, build capacity, and achieve results. If you’re ready to stop drifting and start focusing, we’d love to partner with you. Because when you focus on the right work—and give up the excuses—the results follow.