04/09/2026
After a 20-minute call with one of my department leaders, someone next to me asked:
โWhy would you even have that conversation?
Just tell them to do it.โ
A leader had called me frustrated.
They thought a new reporting requirement shouldnโt apply to their team.
They felt like they were being punished.
We could have ended that conversation in 30 seconds:
โDo it anyway.โ
Instead, we took 20 minutes.
And it completely changed how they saw their team, their role, and the ask.
Many leaders prioritize speed, compliance, and ownership.
But without clarityโand without careโyou donโt get better performance.
You get resistance, inconsistency, and frustration.
www.onthewayenterprises.com/blog/the-20-minute-conversation-many-leaders-skip
