Wes Kao · 4 min read · Product Strategy
Defensible, but not good
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There is a gap between work that is defensible and work that is actually good. The piece argues for judging work by whether it adds real value, not just by meeting requirements or looking polished, and urges leaders to use their judgment instead of waiting for dramatic signals or endless data. With finite resources, teams should favor high-impact bets and maintain intellectual honesty about what moves the needle.
Key Takeaways
- Defensible work is not the same as truly valuable work; ask, 'Is this actually good?'
- Don’t wait for dramatic signs to improve—trust judgment and direct feedback to identify issues.
- Prioritize high-impact bets given finite budget and headcount, avoiding busywork and process-for-process's-sake.
- Make decisions with conviction and intellectual honesty about whether a decision will move the needle.
Excerpt
👋 Hey, it’s Wes. Welcome to my bi-weekly newsletter on managing up, leading teams, and standing out as a high performer. To level up faster, check out my intensive 2-day course on Executive Communication & Influence . Read time : 3 minutes There is a difference between work that seems useful vs work that’s actually useful. Your work can be: Defensible Meet all stated requirements Look fine at first glance Be wrapped in professional polish ...and yet still fundamentally miss the mark on adding actual value. It’s a natural human tendency to optimize for “not getting into trouble” rather than…