The 80% Most Leaders Forget

“Making the right decision and taking the right direction is about 20% of the game, and 80% is actually doing it. So good decisions and great execution are better than great decisions and poor execution."

Alan Doane

Former CEO, Alexander & Baldwin

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Written by: Luke Abernathy

Reflecting on a quote contributed by Alan Doane for Lead Forward's Words To Lead By

Florence Nightingale felt that hospitals could be cleaner, safer, and better organized. But that belief alone would not save lives. During the Crimean War, she walked mile-long hallways each night, collecting information by hand, reorganizing supplies, improving sanitation, and redesigning nursing systems. Her ideas mattered, but it was her steady action that transformed them into enduring change. Her story illustrates the truth of leadership: the right direction matters, but the work that follows matters even more.

Many people have thoughtfully developed plans or strong visions. Few will commit to the day-to-day effort involved in bringing those plans into reality. That is why real leadership is measured not just by making a decision but through follow-through. The best idea in the world remains a possibility until someone chooses a date, gathers materials, sends a message, and keeps going when momentum slows.

Think about a group planning a service project: anyone can talk about what they hope to do, but it's the leader who confirms the location, organizes supplies, checks in with members, and adjusts the plan when challenges appear. Progress grows from steady work, not perfect thinking.

Action also teaches more than imagination. Confidence, stronger skills, and a team having something real to build on are all results of each accomplished task. Leaders who act with consistency create momentum that others join.

Leadership becomes powerful when the words and actions match. Plans may guide the direction, but action makes the direction real.