I agree this is a real problem. I guess I've come from organizations where everything is declared a top priority, therefore nothing is. And nothing can be pushed aside for a true priority.
In particular, it is damaging for a leader to declare a top priority and then go on the same as usual, not making extra efforts to invest in that priority, because of course the reality is that so many things are important, and they lack the will to focus at the expense of something else.
If something is that important, you'll direct significant resources to the goal and I imagine the author of the article is sincere in doing that. Many organizations however are resource-constrained and must make tough choices. It's just mismanagement to declare lots of top priorities - heck, you don't have to say anything, just show us how you are allocating the money and people, and adjusting your expectations of everybody's schedules and deadlines.
In particular, it is damaging for a leader to declare a top priority and then go on the same as usual, not making extra efforts to invest in that priority, because of course the reality is that so many things are important, and they lack the will to focus at the expense of something else.
If something is that important, you'll direct significant resources to the goal and I imagine the author of the article is sincere in doing that. Many organizations however are resource-constrained and must make tough choices. It's just mismanagement to declare lots of top priorities - heck, you don't have to say anything, just show us how you are allocating the money and people, and adjusting your expectations of everybody's schedules and deadlines.