“Don’t Mess Up” and Other Useless Advice: Why Clear Direction Matters

Early in my career, I gave what I thought was a perfectly fine briefing to a crew of East Tennessee ironworkers. I ran through the scope, pointed out some safety concerns, and wrapped it up with this gem:

“Alright fellas, don’t mess up.”

Yeah. That was the big finish. “Don’t mess up.”

Afterwards, the old superintendent - one of those wise, weathered guys who’s seen everything twice - pulled me aside and said, flat-out:

“That was dumb. Don’t ever say that again.”

I laughed a little and asked why, expecting maybe a comment about tone or delivery.

Instead, he dropped a piece of gold I’ve never forgotten:

“Nobody wants to mess up. People want to do the job right. If you can’t tell them what doing it right actually looks like, you’re not leading - you’re just hoping.”

Boom. That stuck.

Vague Direction Is Not Leadership

I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was guilty of something I’ve now come to recognize all over the industry: giving vague direction and calling it leadership.

We’ve all heard it - and let’s be honest, we’ve all said it at some point.

“Do better.”

“Work harder.”

“Figure it out.”

It's even in the corny rah-rah speeches in movies: 

“Fight for that inch!”

Statements like that aren’t just unhelpful - they’re actively damaging. They make your team feel like they’re on their own. Like leadership doesn’t really know what’s going on, or worse, doesn’t care enough to dig into the details.

And I’ve been on the other end too. I’ve stood in safety meetings or jobsite huddles where leadership delivered a rousing pep talk like:

“We need to tighten things up out there. Just… do better, okay?”

You can feel morale drop like a rock. Not because people don’t want to do better, but because what does that even mean?

Faster? Safer? Cleaner? More efficient? Different materials? Better communication? Less rework?

When leaders don’t define success clearly, it doesn’t motivate the team - it confuses them. Or worse, it makes them feel like they’re being blamed for something that hasn’t been explained.

Specific Direction Builds Confidence

The longer I’ve been in this business, the more I’ve come to appreciate the value of clear, actionable direction.

I’m talking about things like:

• “I need you to install these embeds 1” off the face, plus or minus ⅛”, checked with the laser before pour.”

• “Let’s prioritize closing out this punch list by Friday - start with the units closest to inspection, and let’s regroup Wednesday at noon.”

• “We're missing a step in the daily JHA. Before the next shift, make sure the foremen walk it with their crew and double-check it’s being filled out together.”

These aren’t fancy. But they work.

When people know exactly what “right” looks like, they can deliver. They feel empowered, not micro-managed. And if something goes sideways, they also feel more comfortable flagging it early - because they know you’re actually paying attention, not just barking vague orders from the trailer.

Leadership Means Clarity

Now, I’m not saying we need to micromanage every bolt and bracket. But there’s a big difference between empowering your team and abandoning them under the banner of “they’ve got it.”

Especially when things get tough - schedules slipping, budgets tightening, stress levels rising - that’s when people need direction the most.

Not just a motivational quote taped to the whiteboard, but actual leadership: thoughtful prioritization, clear next steps, and someone who’s willing to get a little dirt on their boots to help reset the course.

Wrap-Up: Lead with Clarity, Not Just Authority

So if you’re stepping into a leadership role - or just want to be better at the one you’re already in - remember this:

Nobody wants to fail. If your team isn’t hitting the mark, don’t assume it’s because they’re lazy or checked out. Start by asking yourself if you’ve actually shown them what the target is.

“Don’t mess up” isn’t a strategy. “Do better” isn’t a plan.

But “Here’s exactly what success looks like, and here’s how we get there together”? That’s leadership.

What's another throw away "motivational" line you've heard?