How to Make Better Decisions with Clarity & Alignment

Lancair 4 Propjet in Flight

When I'm behind the controls of a carbon fiber experimental airplane propelled by a 750 shaft horsepower turboprop engine, I don’t always have the luxury of perfect information when making split second decisions.

Despite my best efforts at preflight planning, I'm sometimes making decisions in environments that are complex, uncertain, and constantly changing.

This is not only true for me when flying a high performance airplane, it's also true for anyone working in healthcare, transportation, construction, energy production, or any other high consequence, high reliability industry.

Complexity and uncertainty are just part of the job.

To overcome the potential danger to people, equipment and mission success in those situations where difficult decisions must be made when the best course of action involves grappling with uncertainty, the best leaders ensure all the operators in their organization are dialed into the concepts of Clarity and Alignment.

What is the principle of "Clarity and Alignment?"

"Clarity" means defining a clear, specific end state—what success looks like for a specific task, project, or organizational mission. Knowing the desired end state - the Key Result - sets priorities during decision making for the team. As they consider options while deciding on the best course of action, "clarity" on the leadership's desired end state allows them to see which option gets them closer to outcome.

For every flight in my Lancair, I ask myself, "After this flight is complete, what is the measurable end state I want to see?"

This could be something as simple as arriving safely at our destination, within 5% of our expected Fuel on Board at touchdown and plus or minus 10 minutes of our ETA. On more complex maintenance check flights, I might get clear on the desired end state of five different inflight equipment checks of the emergency landing gear extension, flap operations, flight control trim settings, yaw damper operation, and autopilot engagement functions.

I also use the principle of Clarity in my firearms training. In complex events such as competitions, hunting, and defensive shooting training where every team member is equipped with a weapon capable of instantly ending a life, clarity on the desired end state of the task or mission is paramount.

Clarity and Alignment are critical on the firing range

"Alignment" means ensuring all team members involved in the task, project, or mission are in synch on what success looks like. If flying with another crew member in the Lancair, as part of my mission briefing I ensure the other pilot clearly understands the desired Key Result. This often involves asking for a "readback" from the other pilot to ensure alignment really does exist.

Why Clarity and Alignment Lead to Better Decisions

Clarity and Alignment help your team understand:

• WHAT needs to be done (by stating the clearly defined Key Result),

• WHAT to FOCUS ON (because now they know what is most important)

• DECISION MAKING PRIORITIES  (helping them filter options and choose the one that gets them closest to the desired end state).

When whole team has the same mental frame for the task, project, or mission they are better equipped to make autonomous, aligned decisions under pressure. I personally see this outcome in the cockpit and on the firing range. Instead of freezing or waiting for instructions, team members can act confidently, knowing their decisions fit within leadership’s intent. Leaders don't have to micro manage, have a larger span of control, and can accomplish more, faster.

Clarity and Alignment also allows your team to make better, faster decisions because they:

• Know the end state they’re working toward.

• Understand the priorities when choices must be made.

• Feel trusted to decide how to get there.

Why Clarity and Alignment Matter for Safety

In high-consequence, high-reliability organizations, incidents often happen not because of willful negligence, incompetence, or not trying to do their best —but because they didn't prioritize, and/or they chose next steps without clarity and alignment.

• In healthcare, this can mean focusing on speed over safety in patient care.

• In construction, it can mean choosing productivity over protective measures.

• In aviation, it can mean misaligned actions in the cockpit when seconds count.

Why Leaders Need to Use Clarity and Alignment

This principle reduces the risk of poor performance and ensures your team is moving toward the same defined end state. Thus, leaders achieve their desired organizational results in less time, stress, and wasted effort. By helping your teams succeed at their tasks, leaders succeed.

The principle of Clarity and Alignment is a critical leadership tool that builds high-performing, safe, and resilient teams.