Spring Forward Series – Excellence in Action

This is one of three reflections on how leaders can plant with purpose, prune with courage, and finish the year strong — together. Read also: Plant with Purpose | Prune for Progress | Finish Strong — Together

“Sometimes growth requires subtraction, not addition.”

Spring doesn’t just bring new growth — it demands pruning. A tree grows best not when it adds more branches, but when the dead wood is cut away.

In leadership, pruning means courage — the courage to end what’s no longer effective, to step away from outdated habits, and to say no to opportunities that distract from your purpose. And yes — pruning hurts. But that pain is the birthplace of progress.

This reflection is about creating space for excellence. About releasing the clutter that clouds clarity and remembering that less isn’t loss — it’s leverage.

“We don't get a chance to do that many things, and everyone should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief… So, it better be damn good. It better be worth it.”
- Steve Jobs.

Much has been written about Steve Jobs and his quest to make a dent in the universe. A key part of his success came from the life lessons he learned after being fired from Apple in 1985. He founded NeXT and acquired a small animation studio from Lucasfilm, which later became Pixar.

For nearly five years, Pixar focused relentlessly on one major project — Toy Story — instead of spreading its resources across multiple films. When Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, the company had barely 90 days of cash left. He cut roughly 80 per cent of Apple’s product line and focused on the vital few that would shape the future: iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. That clarity rebuilt momentum and reshaped an industry — even as competitors like Samsung continued to flood the market with countless models.

The life lesson is clear: in a world obsessed with more, the real power lies in less.

In keeping with our theme, spring doesn’t just mean planting; it also means pruning.

A tree grows best not when it adds more branches, but when the dead wood is cut away.

In leadership, pruning involves making tough decisions: ending what’s no longer effective, stepping away from outdated habits, and saying no to opportunities that distract from your purpose.

And yes — pruning hurts. But that pain is the birthplace of progress.

My Story: Setting Boundaries

A few years ago, I was singularly focused on delivering excellence in my role for my employer. As a very young senior executive, I felt a heavy dose of imposter syndrome and a constant need to prove my worth and earn credibility.

My approach? Outwork and out-hustle everyone.

I felt the weight of wanting to be perfect — to please everyone, to deliver something for everyone, to impress everyone.

You can probably guess what happened next.

By trying to excel in one area of my life — specifically, my career — I diluted my impact and almost lost what was most important to me: my soulmate.

I can still hear her words when she said, with tears streaming down her cheeks:

“Put me in the front seat of the car of life — put the company in the back seat!”

Ouch. That day, I realised something powerful: I had lost sight of what mattered most.

I was driven by fear – the fear of letting people down, of not being enough. I was mistaking over-committing for commitment. I said yes because I thought that’s what leaders do.

But authentic leadership requires the courage to say no — even when your voice shakes.

Pruning your schedule, relationships, or habits isn’t rejection — it’s refinement.

That experience became a defining truth for me:

Excellence isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters, better.

There’s so much wisdom in the saying,

“Where your focus goes, your energy flows.”

As Scott Caan said,

“Good things happen when you set your priorities straight.”

The Leadership Lesson

Every leader faces a moment when addition no longer works. You can’t keep saying yes without eventually losing direction.

Jim Collins, in Good to Great, reminds us that “stop doing” lists are often more critical than “to-do” lists.

Growth requires courage to prune. That’s not weakness — that’s wisdom.
When you prune the good, you make room for the great.

The One Thing for You

“What’s the one thing that, if you did it today — this week — would make everything else easier or unnecessary?” – Gary Keller

This spring, take ten quiet minutes to prune your leadership garden.

Write down your top five responsibilities.
Circle the one that truly drives impact.
Then ask: What’s getting in the way of doing that with excellence?

Your One Thing this week:
⇨ Say no to one task, meeting, or project that no longer moves the needle.

Don’t apologise for protecting what matters. That’s not selfish — that’s stewardship.

Final Reflection

Spring is about renewal — and renewal always starts with release.

Cutting back on what no longer serves you creates room for something better to grow.

As leaders, we must be brave enough to let go of comfort, routine, and over-extension — so that excellence can flourish in the areas of life that matter most.

Because here’s the truth:

Sometimes growth requires subtraction, not addition.

So, prune with purpose. Lead with courage. And finish this year strong — not exhausted, but excellent.

Stay inspired and lead with excellence.
— Gary

Explore the full Spring Forward: Excellence in Action Series

Plant with Purpose — Clarity creates momentum.
Prune for Progress — Courage clears the path for growth.
Finish Strong — Together — Connection turns belief into belonging.

Three perspectives. One pursuit: Excellence in action.