Leadership in the Details
Precision and Power
In my last article, I touched on the leadership lessons embedded in one of my favorite books, A River Runs Through It. Today, I want to build on that and explore another core theme: the art of precision. In the same way that Norman Maclean’s father demanded meticulous care in fly fishing, leaders are required to show that same level of precision in decision-making, communication, and action. The small details we ignore can lead to big failures. Let’s dive in.
Precision is the Foundation of Success
One of the things that stands out in A River Runs Through It is how Norman and Paul’s father teaches them to fly fish with exacting standards. Every movement has a purpose, and every cast is guided by a clear technique. The lesson here isn’t just about fishing; it’s about mastery through precision.
In leadership, precision is equally critical. Whether you’re defining strategy or guiding your team through a project, small missteps in communication or execution can have massive consequences. Precision isn’t just about getting the job done—it’s about getting it done right. The margin between success and failure is often razor-thin, and it’s the leaders who recognize this that rise above.
Take a company strategy, for instance. If your vision is clear, but your execution is vague, the whole plan can crumble. Lack of precision can lead to misunderstandings, half-baked efforts, and missed opportunities. It’s like casting a fly rod—if you don’t pay attention to the smallest details, you won’t catch anything but frustration.
Precision in Communication
Maclean’s father was a man of few words, but every word had weight. Similarly, as leaders, we need to be precise in how we communicate with our teams. A lot of time is wasted when messages are unclear or overly complex. I’ve seen it myself—teams running in circles because instructions weren’t sharp and actionable.
Clear, precise communication saves time, improves focus, and removes ambiguity. When we fail to communicate with precision, we open the door for misinterpretation and, ultimately, inefficiency. Every conversation, email, or presentation is an opportunity to demonstrate this art of precision, to get to the heart of the matter quickly, and to leave no room for doubt about the next steps.
The key is to practice the same discipline that Maclean’s father required in fly fishing. Be concise, clear, and deliberate with your words. When the message is precise, the action that follows will be, too.
Precision in Strategy and Action
A critical part of leadership is crafting a strategy that’s not just visionary but executable. Vision is great, but it’s the precision in planning and execution that brings it to life. In A River Runs Through It, Maclean’s father knew that the wrong move, even a slight miscalculation in the cast, would cost him the fish. Leaders face the same challenge—precision in strategy is essential to success.
When setting strategy, we often focus on the big picture, but the real power is in the details. A leader should be able to break down the vision into clear, actionable steps that their team can follow. This requires not only deep knowledge but a focus on the finer points that can make or break an initiative.
Think of precision as your anchor. It keeps you grounded and ensures that every decision, no matter how small, is aligned with the overall goal. The better you are at focusing on the details, the better your outcomes will be. Strategy is more than grand ideas—it’s about having the precision to anticipate problems, pivot when necessary, and execute with accuracy.
Leading by Example: Teaching Precision
Just as Maclean’s father taught his sons to cast with precision, leaders must also teach their teams to operate with the same level of care. Leading by example is crucial here. If you show that you care about the small details, your team will too. If you let things slide, they’ll follow your lead and take shortcuts.
But here’s the thing: precision can be taught. It requires patience, clarity, and a willingness to correct mistakes in the moment. Think back to the scene where Maclean’s father watches Norman struggle with his casting. He doesn’t berate him; instead, he gives a subtle but precise piece of advice: “The fish are out farther… just a little farther.” That slight adjustment makes all the difference.
In leadership, we need to do the same. Small, well-timed corrections in performance, behavior, or strategy can be the key to unlocking someone’s potential. By offering clear, actionable feedback, we help others refine their skills and grow. Precision in teaching produces precision in practice.
The Risk of Ignoring the Details
The other side of this coin is the risk we run when we ignore precision. In fly fishing, a sloppy cast doesn’t just miss the fish—it can also get your line tangled or cause you to lose control of the fly altogether. The same is true in leadership. When we overlook the details, we run the risk of letting minor issues spiral into bigger problems.
I’ve seen projects derailed by what seemed like small oversights—someone failed to define roles clearly, deadlines slipped because expectations weren’t set, or a miscommunication went unchecked. These details matter, and if we don’t give them the attention they deserve, they can snowball.
Leadership is about seeing both the forest and the trees. Yes, we have to keep our eye on the big picture, but we can’t afford to neglect the finer details. Precision helps us avoid those costly mistakes and keeps us moving toward success.
Conclusion: Precision as Power
In fly fishing, the fish that gets away is often the result of a cast that wasn’t quite right. In leadership, the missed opportunity or failed project can often be traced back to a lack of precision—whether in communication, strategy, or execution.
Maclean’s A River Runs Through It reminds us that mastery, whether in fishing or leadership, is about getting the small details right. Precision isn’t just a skill—it’s a mindset that we must cultivate and practice daily. The leaders who focus on precision are the ones who build stronger teams, execute better strategies, and ultimately, achieve greater success.
As I continue to reflect on the themes from A River Runs Through It, I see more and more how the lessons of precision apply to leadership. It’s not just about making the right moves—it’s about making those moves with clarity, care, and purpose.