Purpose and Focus

Motorsport lost a mighty competitor yesterday. A one-of-a-kind person admired for his perseverance, character, and accomplishments.

The last time I met him was July 2017 at the Williams Conference Center, adjacent to the WilliamsF1 factory, in the UK. I was leading a 3-day workshop for a software company and Sir Frank Williams stopped by on the Sunday. He graciously posed for photos and entertained questions from the group.

In my work with executives, we often talk about the importance of clarifying purpose of the business. No example works better than what Frank Williams told us many years ago. When anyone requested he write a cheque for more than £5,000, he asked one question – “Will spending this money make the car go faster.” That says it all about maintaining focus.