“Put more wood behind the spear point to truly deliver impact.”

That’s what one of my mentors would tell me when I started spreading my team (and myself) too thinly. 

He was referring to the design of a Roman spear (pilum). They have a pyramidal iron point for penetration.  The point is lethal, even against shields and armor because of the weight of the shaft – 10-12 pounds!

Leaders make a bigger organizational impact when they focus more weight behind the tip of the spear.  Therefore, leaders must make choices.

  • Getting to inbox zero daily may or may not matter.
  • Participating in another committee may or may not matter.
  • PowerPoint polish may or may not matter
  • Doing the things which only you can do matters.
  • Delivering your best creative, original work matters.
  • Building relationships matters.
  • Keeping promises matters.
  • Rest & recovery matter.

A litmus test when you’re faced with choices: Five years from now, what will matter more?

Decide. Act. Stand firm.

Adam Kirk Smith
Glenn Brooke
25 Years in Retail, Restaurants & Hospitality · Author · Speaker · Coach

Adam spent 25 years in retail, restaurant, and hospitality leadership — managing teams of 60, growing a store from $600K to $2M+, and overseeing guest experience at a corporate level. Author of The Bravest You (endorsed by Seth Godin). Host of two podcasts. 170K monthly readers. Grimes, Iowa.

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