Lesson 4 by Martin Johnson - Focus on your flag on the hill
In uncertain environments, the difference between teams that move forward and teams that lose momentum often comes down to one thing: clarity of purpose. When people know exactly where they’re heading, difficult moments feel like part of the journey. When they don’t, those same moments feel like failure.
A clear mission acts as a compass. It sharpens decision-making, strengthens alignment, and gives teams confidence that they’re still progressing, even when the terrain gets rough.
For us at T2, our flag on the hill has shaped every major decision we’ve made, from adapting during Covid to choosing the opportunities that support our long-term vision. It’s the anchor that keeps us steady, and the filter that keeps us focused.
Lesson 4 is all about this principle; why leaders must create a shared destination, and how that clarity builds a stronger, more resilient organisation
Martin Johnson on Lesson 4: Focus on your flag on the hill
The best organisations have a mission, a goal, a “flag on the hill”.
Effective leaders ensure their teams know exactly where they’re heading. Without a clear destination, during difficult periods, teams can feel like they’re failing. A well-defined mission helps teams understand they’re still advancing toward their goal even during challenging times.
When you have that clear flag on the hill, your team understands that difficult periods don’t mean failure – they mean you’re fighting through the tough terrain to reach your destination.
This concept originated from my military experience, where every mission began with a clear objective. The military understands that clarity of purpose is essential when conditions become chaotic. In business, this translates to having a mission that goes beyond short-term targets.
T2’s flag on the hill is to develop the people of today, the leaders of tomorrow and the organisations of the future. This vision guided our decisions during COVID, when we pivoted to virtual delivery, and during our expansion, when we chose which opportunities to pursue.
The flag on the hill serves multiple purposes. It provides a decision-making filter – does this opportunity take us closer to our destination? It offers comfort during difficult periods – we may be struggling, but we’re still on course. And it creates alignment – everyone understands how their role contributes to the ultimate objective.
It’s amazing how many executive teams can’t clearly articulate their organisation’s destination. Without this clarity, people default to short-term thinking and lose sight of the bigger picture when challenges inevitably arise.
More About Martin Johnson
Martin Johnson is the founder and CEO of T2 The People Performance People, a consultancy at the forefront of leadership development, working with elite sports teams, global businesses, and public sector organisations. His journey from the Royal Navy to leadership consultancy has shaped a philosophy that blends performance psychology with real-world leadership practice.
Now celebrating its 10th year, T2 partners with organisations including INEOS Grenadiers, Manchester United, Specsavers, and Reckitt, helping leaders build confidence, collaboration, and capability that lasts.
This article is part of our 10 Lessons of Leadership series, celebrating 10 years of T2. Each month, we’ll share a new lesson from our CEO, Martin Johnson, designed to give leaders practical insights they can apply straight away.
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