How many important conquests have ended in a whimper? How often have leaders declared victory too soon? When is it prudent to declare success?

These are important considerations for leaders. Cloudy outcomes are more common than decisive victories. Credibility is undermined by prematurely declared success or a fizzled outcome and followers are discouraged or even demoralized.

A good campaign, whether military or business, has a predefined definition of success. If you can’t measure it, you won’t know if you’ve achieved it. That definition needs to consider success as defined not only by the leaders but by all those involved in its achievement.

I frequently observe teams, task forces and committees toiling on without any clue as to when their work will be done. They haven’t defined completion, much less victory. Noy surprisingly their efforts are thus uninspired and lethargic.

Aim for a victory that can be readily identified when achieved.