Clarity First: How Smart Leaders and Organizations Achieve Outstanding Performance

by Karen Martin

Award-winning business performance improvement and Lean management expert Karen Martin diagnoses a ubiquitous business management and leadership problem―the lack of clarity―and outlines specific actions to dramatically improve organizational performance. Through her global consulting projects, keynote speeches, and work with thousands of leaders, Karen has seen first-hand how a pervasive lack of clarity strangles business performance and erodes employee engagement. Ambiguity is the corporate default state, a condition so prevalent that “tolerance for ambiguity” has become a clichéd job requirement. It doesn’t have to be this way. In Clarity First , Karen provides methods and insights for achieving clarity to unleash potential, innovate at higher levels, and solve the problems that matter to deliver outstanding business results. Both a visionary road map and practical guide, this book will help •Identify and communicate the organization’s true purpose •Set achievable priorities •Deliver greater customer value through more efficient processes •Provide greater transparency about true versus assumed performance •Build strong problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities throughout the organization •Develop personal clarity to be a more direct, purposeful, and successful leader Eliminating ambiguity is the first step for leaders and organizations to achieve strategic goals. Learn how to gain the clarity needed to make better decisions, lead more effectively, and boost organizational performance. When it comes to leading an outstanding organization, every great leader needs Clarity First .

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Communication

320 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2018

About the author

I've published four business books. Value Stream Mapping is now available for order: www.bit.ly/VSMbk. The Outstanding Organization (www.bit.ly/TOObk), represents my foray into hard cover leadership books. My other two, Metrics-Based Process Mapping (www.bit.ly/MBPMbk) and The Kaizen Event Planner (www.bit.ly/TKEPbk), contain practical tools that support an organization's journey to "outstandingness."

In addition to writing, I keynote frequently and maintain a full client load. For more information, please visit my website www.ksmartin.com and join us on any of the social media sites listed on my home page.

To receive my blog posts, and up-to-date tips, resources and announcements, please subscribe to my list: www.ksmartin.com/subscribe.

In addition to my passion for organizational improvement, I love food and wine, yoga, and power walking along the beach.

Reviews

[Erik Brickarp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of this book was amazing, like "6 star amazing". Other parts I personally felt were basically steps too far from what the book was trying to communicate and it felt like convoluted solutions to what other books describe better.

It's a book I likely will go back to, it's definitely not lacking content and it's definitely close to a 5 star but those downs dragged it down to a high 4 star for me.

Read it to learn about why we fail to be clear and on an overall level how to challenge it cause that the book teaches brilliantly but be prepared that some of the methodology to create clarity are, in my opinion, better described in other books.

[Lisa Kosak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the years I have lost count of how many useless meetings that I have sat through with colleagues listening to countless KPI numbers, reports, financial updates and other meaningless reports. We all nod as if we understand and that the information is meaningful. Sound familiar?

Too many leaders spend time pouring over numbers and creating reports that lack clarity, relevancy, and actionable information. The new book by Karen Martin Clarity First offers strategies, guidance, and examples of how we should be mining and presenting clear information for our employees, customers, and leadership teams. Karen introduces us to some lean and value stream processes that are useful and manageable without overwhelming with statistics and mumbo-jumbo that goes over the reader’s head.

Karen addresses five key areas that need to be addressed to bring clarity to organizations and teams. Here are the five P’s:

1. Purpose
2. Priorities
3. Process
4. Performance
5. Problem-solving

Organizations that lack clarity drive waste which prevents leaders from achieving goals and only brings confusion. Surprisingly, many companies avoid clarity because it means “putting” everything out there. Lack of clarity alienates employees, stakeholders, and leaders. Everyone within an organization should be encouraged to champion clarity and make it a vital part of the company culture.

Not enough leaders realize that clarity can unleash the power of employees by empowering them. If encouraged, they have unleashed potential, insight, innovation at various levels, and encourage every single person at every level.

Clarity First is a must-read for leaders at any level. Here is what clarity can bring:

• Highlighting organizational purpose
• Set achievable priorities because clarity exists
• Deliver better customer service and value
• Encourage transparency
• Build stronger problem-solving skills and capabilities
• Develop personal clarity to individuals

Clarity isn’t something that should be feared. Every organization should embrace transparency and clarity as a key factor to success. Write relevant reports. Share the good and bad with clarity. Manage transparency at all levels with a variety of data points. Encourage people to bring clarity to work with them every day. Clarity First by Karen Martin can start you on your own clarity journey.

[Jiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

To get CLEAR you need to STRIVE for deeper insight

I enjoyed reading Karen Martin’s book Clarity First as it talks about how to build a mindful unambiguous organization where the environment and relationships are open, colleagues are mindful of each other’s feelings as well as focused on 5 P’s (purpose, priorities, process, performance, problem solving), growth, development and innovation (organizational as well as personal), and above all on the clarity of understanding which follows a CLEAR mindset (where CLEAR stands for: Clarify and breakdown of problems, Learn more about the problem, Experiment with countermeasures, Assess results and adjust, Roll out an improved process) of all starting with employees to management including the unambiguous communication with the outside of the organization.
Karen Martin cites a number of references throughout the book, which when read (I have now a much longer list of books to read…) help to further deepen the knowledge in the respective related area.
I find interesting the following: visualization of data, mapping and creation of processes (BPMN, VSM, SOP…) with emphasis on their continued improvement and efficiency. Decision-making models (20:80, Fishbone diagram, breakdown structure…) and meditation as a means for coping with pressing demands, overload and stress.

[Briana Justin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, in a nutshell, this book was about clarity and was about 250 pages longer than it needed to be. Ironic. Lots of repetitive, but the meditation steps and explanation at the end was interesting and possibly worth giving a try.

[Bob Wallner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent audiobook by Karen Martin regarding the importance of clarity within your entire organization. Originally introduced in her book the outstanding organization, clarity, was one of the most requested topics when she released the book. Unfortunately in that book it was an inch deep and a mile wide. In Clarity First she does the reversal and goes a mile deep on the topic.

In the early chapters she does a good job of defining what clarity is and how it's critical in the discovery process for organizations. She discusses how organizations that aren't clear are setting themselves up for erratic improvement efforts. She discusses in great depth how clarity around a problem is critical to solving the root cause, not just a symptom, of the problem. She ends by discussing how clarity can/must be integrated in yourself and how leader leads using clarity.
She offers many tips and techniques and then closes the book with a section on mindfulness and meditation techniques.

I've heard people say that they don't practice meditating or mindfulness as they don't see the true benefit. As one who has practiced meditating, albeit intermittently, for the last decade I definitely can tell that I feel better (clearer) when I do meditate. She introduces a couple additional methods to slow your mind or focus your mind that I may try at some point.

In general very good book that is well read (audible version) and very practical. I took copious notes on this as there were so many useful nuggets.

If I had one criticism is the number of times I heard the word "clarity". I understand it's probably impossible to read a book with this title without using the word but at times that clarity felt a bit overused. Minor in the entire scheme of the the book.

I will be a part of a consortium reading this book as part of a book club starting next week! Looking forward to the club's insight.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarify First by Karen Martin covers the idea of how leaders and organizations can improve performance by focusing on the idea of Clarity. The author defines clarity succinctly and then uses that principle to cover many of the standard management theories that are out there to show that clarity is at the core of the. Her main methodology centers around CLEAR which she uses to stand for Clarity, Learn, Experience, Assess and Roll out. This is a strategy for attacking the root cause of issues and each of the letters above contains several sub steps. Her main focus on this area concerns what she calls the 5 P’s. Purpose, Priorities, Process, Performance and Problem solving with much of the book focusing on problem solving and strategies around it. While much of this may seem like almost no brainer type stuff it is a reality that many organizations fail to achieve this clarity and don’t succeed in these areas. This book provides a simplified look at Clarity and how to achieve it. Overall a very engaging read and one that cuts to the heart of the matter.

[Sebastian Gebski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore the word "clarity". It's the final stage (awareness->understanding->clarity) of my own micro-cycle, crucial in getting the shit done. Hence I've decided to pick the book about clarity in the context of leadership: I've expected it to resonate a lot with my own thoughts.

And I have mixed feelings. If I picked any random thought/quote/paragraph from the book & consider it individually, it's hard not to agree with it with my whole heart. But the book feels extremely dry, I could build up any "thought anchors", identify pivotal concepts - in fact I've barely felt any structure. Yes, in theory, the chapter titles make the sense, but I couldn't help the feeling it's just a long, uninterrupted flow of the-same-thing-over-and-over-again. In fact, I lacked a clear, striking message in a book about clarity :( Maybe some more examples (more illustrative ones) would help.

So, in the end, the book is quite far from being memorable and worth recommending ;(

[Todd Buegler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. There was lots of helpful information and it was presented well.

The thing is, only about 1/3rd of it applied to what I do. It was a deep dive into clarity and communications, but it was really oriented towards business (which, it was supposed to be.) A majority of it really didn't apply to the non-profit/public sector (much less the world of the church, which I inhabit.)

I picked up some really helpful ideas, especially in the first quarter of the book and the last chapter or two. The middle section was less helpful.

If you're a business leader, I think this book would be gold. As for me? It was maybe silver.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Martin’s book Clarity First – How Smart Leaders and Organizations Achieve Outstanding Performance is a well-written, in-depth look at the importance of achieving clarity in organizations. In a nutshell, Martin says clarity affects how leaders lead, how managers manage, and how frontline team members do the work.

The inside jacket calls this book, a visionary road map and practical guide, which I think is an accurate description.

It’s definitely worth the investment of time to read it carefully and to follow the recommendations made within it.

I received a copy for review.

[Dr. Byron Ernest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarity is so important in today’s world where we need to be constantly changing, resisting the status quo, and having agility for meeting our stakeholders’ needs. This book teaches us that clarity requires a highly focused effort for a person to give clarity to others in the form of clear communication. This clarity must also be seen in the living of the vision, mission, and core values of the organization. Clarity is also explained In this book as something you receive from others when they communicate clearly with you. I have said many times that, as leaders, we can’t always give certainty, but we must always provide clarity. This great book shows us the way to providing this clarity.

[Joseph Iliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent treatise on the importance of a organization prioritizing an atmosphere of clarity. Karen describes how the absence of clarity about a organizations goals affects every part of every employee's performance. And she shares examples where clarity has made a difference in all different types of businesses and organizations. An easy read with great insight.

[Pyramids Ubiquitous · Rating 2 out of 5]

The text is comprised both of information that is surprisingly vague and other already-known information slapped with a new coat of paint. It is more or less a summation of modern business ethos and nothing groundbreaking or truly new. Coaching personal clarity is a tough sell when it comes from an author who is clearly out-of-touch with their own self.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book; some some great thoughts and tips on the critical aspect of clarity.

The only reason it is not a 4 is because some of the chapters drag on with the same content; however the last 2 chapters are absolute gems.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read primer on how to infuse clarity in you life and organization. Ms. Martin does an excellent job of explaining how and why clarity in our lives is so important. Worth the time investment to read.

[Tom Minturn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Martin is a brilliant consultant who put her thoughts on paper. She seems to be able to provide clarity for small businesses and large businesses alike.

[Todd Mckeever · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this with Leaderbook with Michael Hyatte

[Matthew Jansson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good skimming book. When I first read it I didn't think much of it, but have found myself referencing it far more than expected on initial reading.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Work slow to work fast."

[Clarity HR Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at developing clear guidelines for your business from performance to priorities.

[Sara (onourshelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need a copy for my office.

[Larry · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no insight. Too dull.

[Vinny M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say it was good. I had some takeaways from the book, but I wouldn't say it wowed me

[Chris Collier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other books are better. Start with Why, Essentialism, Deep Work, etc.

[Aubyn Chavez]

This book, paired with Toyota Kata, have been the most influential books in my career (manufacturing). I will say the author Karen is an incredibly skilled facilitator for problem solving, and this skill is an incredibly difficult craft to hone. While this book doesn’t give you all the answers, the clarity theme is so fundamental if you’re developing yourself as a facilitator for teamwork and driving projects through to successful completion. I think that anyone that thinks this book is unnecessary is probably just unaware (or arrogant).

[Briana Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Likes: New perspective of looking at things to find clarity in the situation, so many ah-ha moments throughout the book. This is my 2nd time reading the book, and I find myself referencing it a lot.
Dislikes: Long, could have been shorter.
Recommend For: People working in business who are trying to find clarity amongst ambiguity. The book gives an overview of finding clarity for a team/ companies purpose, strategy, process, priorities, problem solving, etc.