“Focus is the art of knowing what to ignore.” – James Clear, Author („Atomic Habits“)
When I work with departments or teams on strategy or OKRs, the hardest part is always deciding what to focus on — or more importantly, what NOT to tackle this quarter (or year). There are always so many competing priorities and multiple stakeholders to please. And the manager’s impulse is often to try and fit in just one more priority.
Interestingly, the most successful businessmen and entrepreneurs of the past half-century adopted a different approach, decisively choosing what they would not do and concentrating on very few things.
I vividly remember 1997, when I was managing Apple’s EMEA Product Marketing, and Steve Jobs, upon his return to Apple, decided to cut 70% of our products. While it was a shock to most of us at the time, we all know now that it saved the company and set the stage for one of the most impressive turnarounds in business history.
This weekend’s podcast, therefore, examines what Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates did differently from most of us and how those differences contributed to the success of their companies.
In this episode, Jane and Austin dive deep into the powerful and often misunderstood concept of focus, as defined by three legendary business minds: Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates. It’s a journey that began with a simple dinner party conversation and evolved into a core principle for world-class success. They didn’t achieve greatness by saying „yes“ to everything important. Instead, they mastered the difficult art of saying „no“ to distractions—even the good ones. Jane and Austin explore Buffett’s brutal „two-lists“ strategy, Jobs‘ ruthless product cuts at Apple, and practical techniques you can use to build an ironclad focus in your own life. Get ready to shift your perspective on productivity and discover why the secret to success might just be found in what you choose to ignore.
Highlights:
- The True Meaning of Focus According to Business Giants
- Steve Jobs‘ Approach to Focus at Apple
- Translating Corporate Focus to Individual Practice
- Warren Buffett’s Two Lists Strategy
- Behavioral Science Techniques for Maintaining Focus
- Conclusion: Focus as Active Practice
Listen to it here on Spotify:
About Our Spotify Podcast Series
Ready for a brain boost that fits right into your coffee break? Then dive headfirst into Deep Dives with Jane and Austin! Our AI hosts, Jane and Austin, discuss management topics from angles you might not have even considered. Think short, sharp, and packed with fresh perspectives – perfect for sparking new ideas on your commute or shaking up your afternoon slump.
Deep Dives with Jane and Austin are carefully crafted using advanced AI technology. They draw from my talks, writings, and teaching materials from my classes at TH Rosenheim plus hand-curated content from expert sources.
Do you have a burning management question or a topic you’re eager to see explored? We’d love to hear about it: janeandaustin@go3consulting.com