No Bullsh!t Leadership Moment 156. How to Improve Results Without Working Harder
Jan 18, 2026
Discover how focusing on value rather than effort can supercharge team performance. Learn to differentiate between cost and value, and tackle six major barriers to value capture. Find out why removing habitual tasks, clearly articulating value, and measuring outcomes are essential. Explore the dangers of excessive politeness and perfectionism, plus how self-interest can dilute overall success. With a ruthless focus on impactful activities, teams can achieve remarkable results without working harder.
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Distinguish Value From Cost
- Value and cost are distinct; focus on expected return, not just budgets.
- Martin G Moore says every spend must be judged by likely captured benefits relative to investment.
Make Understanding Value Your Priority
- Make your primary objective to understand value and invest scarce resources where return is highest.
- If people focus only on value-creating activities, results improve without extra effort or spend.
Cull Rusted-On Activities
- Challenge every recurring activity; stop work that doesn't clearly deliver value.
- Start with a blank sheet and ruthlessly cull anything people cannot explain in value terms.