What Is "Done?"

My definition of "done" is dramatically different from my children's. If I vaguely ask them to clean their rooms, the results span a wide spectrum—and rarely match what I envisioned.

However, when I specify exactly what I expect—clothes picked up off the floor, crafts put back in their proper places, and trinkets either organized or cleared off dressers— I get much better results.

As leaders, and as parents, defining what “done” means is essential. When everyone understands what success looks like, we can all get closer to a result that everyone is happy with.

I saw this with a client who was frustrated because his team consistently left tasks incomplete or failed to prepare adequately for customer interactions. It wasn’t due to a lack of effort—it was simply because they didn’t know what “done” meant.

We walked through his expectations in detail, creating written instructions and visual examples to clarify the standard. As a result, his team’s success rate soared, and he could return his focus to executive work instead of micromanaging.

What about your team? Are you clear about what “done” means? Do they know what success looks like in a way that allows them to deliver consistent results?

If not, consider how you can bring more clarity. What tools, resources, or checklists might help? It’s incredible how a few small adjustments can elevate both quality and morale.

If you try this, I’d love to hear what changes you see!