The Business Behind the Work

Most new managers focus on the tasks in front of them—deadlines, projects, deliverables. But the most impactful managers know how to connect daily work to the bigger picture.

This is the business behind the work.

It’s understanding:

• Why this project matters to the company

• How it ties to customer value

• Where it impacts revenue, cost, or strategy

Managers who see this—and teach it to their teams—drive better decisions, stronger performance, and greater engagement.

Here’s how to bring the business into the day-to-day:

1. Speak the Language of Value
Don’t just assign tasks. Explain what success looks like in business terms: Will it increase retention? Improve margins? Support a key customer? New leaders who learn to speak this way become more strategic and more trusted.

2. Use Metrics That Matter
Trade vague KPIs for metrics tied to outcomes. If you’re running a customer success team, talk about renewal rate, not just tickets closed. If you lead operations, talk about throughput or cost savings, not just tasks completed.

3. Teach Context, Not Just Process
Managers who grow fast are the ones who ask, “What’s the real reason we’re doing this?” When they understand that, they can adapt, simplify, and innovate—not just execute blindly.

4. Connect the Dots for Your Team
Your people want to do meaningful work. Help them see how their role fits into the company’s success. That sense of purpose is a retention and performance superpower.

Bottom line:
Don’t just manage work. Manage with business impact in mind.

That’s what separates good managers from great ones.