Feeling stretched thin but still trying to carry it all? Lois Burton makes the case for strategic letting go as the most underrated leadership skill and shows exactly how to do it without dropping the ball. We begin with a story of a high-performing executive who reclaimed focus, elevated their team, and delivered bigger results by intentionally releasing work that no longer belonged on their plate.

We unpack the neuroscience of focus to explain why fewer priorities improve judgment and output, then introduce the 80% rule as a simple trigger for action: if a task no longer aligns with your top priorities and you’re 80% sure it should go, release it.

You’ll learn impact mapping to assess responsibilities against current goals, your unique role, and the only I can do this test. Real examples illustrate how moving four hours from budget minutiae to strategic partnerships can transform outcomes.

Boundaries become practical with a decision filter and ready to use banked phrases. Instead of defaulting to yes, try not now, yes but not me, or let’s revisit in three months language that protects priorities while maintaining trust. We then shift to delegation as development, reframing handoffs as growth opportunities that build capability across the team.

By letting go of legacy tasks you do well, you create space for others to become great, multiplying your impact.

We close with a simple challenge: choose one meeting, report, or project to release this week and notice how quickly focus and energy return.

If the message resonates and you’re ready to double down on what matters most, join our February Focus Bootcamp for four sessions and a resource bank designed to give you clarity, structure, and accountability.

February Focus Bootcamp - Full Details HERE

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Leadership Horizons - Helping You Lead Beyond Boundaries