Laser focus…

I recently attended a training and networking event hosted by a faith-based nonprofit with a specific mission: partnering local churches with prisons. While I was impressed by the hospitality and care they showed to their attending partners, I was even more struck by the organization’s discipline and operational focus. 

Packard’s Law states that no organization can grow faster than its ability to attract and develop the people it needs to sustain that growth. The stories shared at the event made it clear that this organization’s focus began when its CEO was a teenager. He was told that it would be impossible to plant churches inside prisons—a statement that, nearly two decades later, has been proven not only false but also a catalyst for their growth. Now approaching 100 campuses, they are seeing thousands of weekly interactions and contacts, demonstrating the power of focused vision. The CEO’s ability to attract and develop talent is apparent in their success.  

The intimate setting enhanced vision casting and relationship building, both essential for maintaining the focus.

I've noticed their laser-like focus as someone initially observing from the outside (though now moving into a partnership). Their partnerships involve more than just access to facilities and equipment; they also feature a comprehensive, app-based digital infrastructure that serves as both a connector and a way to reach facilities that otherwise might not have physical partnerships. 

Packard once said that organizations are more likely to die from "indigestion"—taking on too much—than from starvation. Similarly, Steve Jobs was as proud of what Apple didn’t do as what they did. Both understood that distractions are dangerous for individuals and teams striving for greatness. 

Big visions require focus. Success brings opportunities, but those opportunities can become distractions. Distractions drain energy, and energy is essential for turning vision into reality. 

Leaders, how are you protecting and directing your energy toward what matters most?