What happens when you don't define success


Happy New Year! And welcome to 2026.

I've got a lot of cool things to share this year but first a reflection on how I could have done better.


We were wrapping up our last coaching session of the year when my client asked, "Do you think my business is successful?"

I paused, not because I wasn't confident in my answer, but because I was disappointed in myself that he had to even ask the question. I saw it as a poor reflection of my coaching system rather than the status of his endeavors.

This client hired me just 6 months before that day. We had tackled many things, and we both felt good about it. We had already planned the next 3 coaching sessions for after the holiday break. But now I realized I had missed something with him.

His business was successful, but his lack of confidence needed to be fixed. I should have helped him set goals and metrics earlier. I want my clients to have the confidence to know what is working and what is not. And he didn't have that clarity.

So we fixed it. Instead of jumping into a regular coaching session at our next meeting, we spent the time defining what success meant for him. We talked about goals, dreams, outcomes, measures, obstacles, priorities, and more.

We were able to create clarity on what it means to be successful. Not the world's definition, but a specific vision of success that matters to him. At the end of the next year, he would know if he was successful.


Would this process be beneficial to you in 2026? I'm offering a huge discount on a limited number of spots.

Right now, I have 3 remaining slots to schedule a 2026 Goal Planning Session at only $129 each.

This session will help you have a clear and confident picture of what success looks like for you.

You can purchase one of these sessions at this link: 2026 Goal Planning Session

Or reply to this email and we'll get you scheduled.

Don't leave 2026 up to chance. Set a plan and be confident of your success.

Phil

405 Leadership Advisors LLC

We help leaders define strategy and implement with ​confidence and clarity.

4808 Blackjack Lane, Edmond, OK 73034-____
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405 Leadership Advisors

Phil Klutts has over 2 decades of experience leading in small and large companies. He's done a lot, from starting, growing and exiting his own business to leading teams and projects in a Fortune 200 company. His current project, 405 Leadership Advisors, helps leaders gain the confidence and clarity they need to succeed.

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