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The CLEAR Model for Leaders Who Make Things Happen
In our current world filled with so much uncertainty, complexity, and fast-paced change, one empowering truth rises above the noise: everything is “figureoutable.” For CEOs and business owners, this is more than a motivational mantra, it is a mindset and a method. When harnessed properly, it can unlock clarity, confidence, and collaborative momentum.
To translate this philosophy into a practical leadership practice, I offer you the CLEAR model. It is five essential steps that guide leaders through assessing any situation, engaging their best thinking, leveraging peer input, and mobilizing teams to execute with excellence.
C - Clarify the Core Challenge.
Every great solution starts with clarity. In the rush of business, it's easy to get tangled in symptoms and surface problems. All too often ineffective leaders are endeavoring to solve problems that are not most critical. Leaders must first pause and ask: What is the real challenge we need to solve? Peel back the layers. Ask why five times. Get to the essence of what’s not working, what’s at stake, and what success needs to looks like.
Clarity cuts through the fog. It eliminates ambiguity and gives your team a lighthouse by which to navigate. When the core challenge is defined with precision, you create a foundation for strategic, focused, and inspired action.
L - Listen to Wisdom Within and Without.
Leadership is not about knowing all the answers; it's about accessing deeper wisdom. That starts by listening, to your intuition, your values, your data, and your people.
Wise leaders balance logic with inner knowing. They recognize when fear or ego might be coloring their perspective. They pause long enough to hear what their higher self or conscience is whispering. They also listen deeply to trusted voices such as mentors, advisors, and peer advisory groups who can reflect back blind spots and provoke fresh insight.
When you make time to truly listen, you begin to see more clearly. Truth rises. Alignment happens. And the best path forward begins to reveal itself.
E - Engage in Thoughtful Dialogue.
Once clarity is established and wisdom gathered, it’s time to engage others. Great decisions are rarely made in isolation. They are pressure-tested in dialogue.
Invite your executive team or peer advisory group into the conversation. Share your thinking openly. Let them poke holes in it. Allow space for dissent, debate, and discovery. This isn't about defending your ideas; it's about refining them.
When leaders model curiosity over certainty, they foster a culture of psychological safety and innovation. The result? Better decisions. Stronger strategies. And shared ownership of the outcomes.
A - Align and Decide with Purpose.
With diverse input considered, leaders must return to center and make a decision that aligns with their values, vision, and long-term goals.
This is the moment to ask: Does this path feel true? Does it elevate the company, our people, and our mission? Alignment is the compass that ensures decisions are not just effective, but also ethical and energizing.
Once the decision is made, communicate it clearly and passionately. Help people see the "why" behind the "what." Alignment isn’t just internal; it’s collective. When everyone is on the same page, momentum builds, and resistance fades.
R - Rally Your People to Execute
The final step is to rally your team. Even the best decision falters without action. Leaders must become catalysts of inspired execution.
Paint a vivid picture of success. Show people their role in the journey. Remove obstacles, offer support, and celebrate progress.
Execution is a spiritual act when done with purpose. It’s the alchemy of vision into reality. As you lead with authenticity, love, and clear direction, your people will rise to meet the challenge.
Everything truly is figureoutable, not because we always have the answers, but because we are willing to seek them with clarity, humility, and courage. The CLEAR model is a roadmap for leaders who want to do more than react to circumstances; it’s for leaders who want to shape them.
So the next time you're facing a complex decision or uncertain path, remember:
Be CLEAR.
Lead with love. Act with clarity. And trust, everything is figureoutable.
Related: From Chaos to Clarity: How to Shift From Uncertainty to Hopeful Momentum