--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As long as people are clear on what they…" description: "\"As long as people are clear on what they need to do and what's going on, you're very likely to succeed. When nobody is clear, then you're guaranteed to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/ben-horowitz-1791_clear_as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they_1627902.png" --- # As long as people are clear on what they need to do and… ![“As long as people are clear on what they need to do and what's going on, you're very likely to succeed. When nobody is clear, then you're guaranteed to fail.” quote by Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/ben-horowitz-1791_clear_as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they_1627902.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/ben-horowitz-1791_clear_as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they_1627902.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/ben-horowitz-1791_clear_as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they_1627902.png) > “As long as people are clear on what they need to do and what's going on, you're very likely to succeed. When nobody is clear, then you're guaranteed to fail.” [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Clarity in roles and information ensures success; ambiguity guarantees failure. **In simple terms:** Clear roles lead to success. Key Takeaway Ensure everyone knows tasks and status. Themes leadership communication clarity Mood pragmatic focused Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - startup teams - corporate projects - remote work - crisis response Key Concepts organizational behavior project management Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain clarity under pressure? - What systems help keep information transparent? A Different Perspective Clarity alone may not solve deeper issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [If you don’t change the direction you are going, then you’re likely to end up where you’re heading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-don-t-change-the-direction-you-are-going-then-you-re-likely-to/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The more times and the more different things you try, the more likely it is that you will succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/the-more-times-and-the-more-different-things-you-try-the-more-likely/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [I wasn't one of the ones voted most likely to succeed when I was at drama school, but I persevered and concentrated on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-marsan/i-wasn-t-one-of-the-ones-voted-most-likely-to-succeed-when-i-was-at/) [Eddie Marsan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-marsan/) > [Do not adopt the best system of government, but the one most likely to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-bolivar/do-not-adopt-the-best-system-of-government-but-the-one-most-likely-to/) [Simon Bolivar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-bolivar/) > [I wish I could say I coined the phrase "failing forward." I do it all the time. I find as I've embraced this approach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-wish-i-could-say-i-coined-the-phrase-failing-forward-i-do-it-all/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“People who keep trying are more likely to succeed than those who give up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-a-m-posey/people-who-keep-trying-are-more-likely-to-succeed-than-those-who-give/) S.A.M. Posey > [Those who speak up, those who use their connections, are more likely to succeed than those who sit and wait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-m-kunin/those-who-speak-up-those-who-use-their-connections-are-more-likely-to/) [Madeleine M. Kunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-m-kunin/) > [“Whatever circumstances life brings you, you will be more likely to succeed and find happiness if you take responsibility for making your decisions well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/whatever-circumstances-life-brings-you-you-will-be-more-likely-to/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/no-enterprise-is-more-likely-to-succeed-than-one-concealed-from-the/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [When I graduated from Santa Monica High in 1927, I was voted the girl most likely to succeed. I didn't realize it would take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-stuart/when-i-graduated-from-santa-monica-high-in-1927-i-was-voted-the-girl/) [Gloria Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-stuart/) > [“Have you ever helped anyone? Do you believe in help? If you can honestly answer yes to both questions, you’re more likely to succeed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/have-you-ever-helped-anyone-do-you-believe-in-help-if-you-can/) [Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/) > [“The consistent and persistent man of average intelligence is more likely to succeed than an erratic and lazy genius.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/om-swami/the-consistent-and-persistent-man-of-average-intelligence-is-more/) [Om Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/om-swami/) > [I believe we are most likely to succeed when ambition is focused on noble and worthy purposes and outcomes rather than on goals set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-believe-we-are-most-likely-to-succeed-when-ambition-is-focused-on/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Every start on an untrodden path is a venture which only in unusual circumstances looks sensible and likely to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/every-start-on-an-untrodden-path-is-a-venture-which-only-in-unusual/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-is-nothing-as-likely-to-succeed-as-what-the-enemy-believes-you/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) ## More by Ben Horowitz > [There is no silver bullet. There are always options and the options have consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/there-is-no-silver-bullet-there-are-always-options-and-the-options/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [Groupon looked like a very high valuation, but any investment in a great company at any stage is almost always a good investment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/groupon-looked-like-a-very-high-valuation-but-any-investment-in-a/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [By far the most difficult skill I learned as a C.E.O. was the ability to manage my own psychology. Organizational design, process design, metrics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/by-far-the-most-difficult-skill-i-learned-as-a-c-e-o-was-the-ability/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“The hard thing is when those “great people” develop a sense of entitlement and start demanding unreasonable things. The hard thing isn’t setting up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/the-hard-thing-is-when-those-great-people-develop-a-sense-of/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“As painful as it might be, I knew that we had to get into the broader market in order to understand it well enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/as-painful-as-it-might-be-i-knew-that-we-had-to-get-into-the-broader/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“On my grandfather’s tombstone, you will find his favorite Marx quote: “Life is struggle.” I believe that within that quote lies the most important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/on-my-grandfather-s-tombstone-you-will-find-his-favorite-marx-quote/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“Bill Campbell: "It's not about the money." Ben Horowitz: "What's it about, Bill?" Bill: "It's about the FUCKING money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/bill-campbell-it-s-not-about-the-money-ben-horowitz-what-s-it-about/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [When the value of the company clearly has fallen below what its assets are worth, having a shareholder who says, 'Let's get a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/when-the-value-of-the-company-clearly-has-fallen-below-what-its/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [One person is never as stupid as a group of people. That's why they have lynch mobs, not lynch individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/one-person-is-never-as-stupid-as-a-group-of-people-that-s-why-they/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“out the right product is the innovator’s job, not the customer’s job.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/out-the-right-product-is-the-innovator-s-job-not-the-customer-s-job/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [As companies move to web-based computing they get a lot more servers, which are difficult to manage and control. All kinds of problems can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/as-companies-move-to-web-based-computing-they-get-a-lot-more-servers/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [Breakthrough ideas usually come from guys who look like they're hallucinating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/breakthrough-ideas-usually-come-from-guys-who-look-like-they-re/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [When screening engineers from other companies, its smart to value engineers from great companies more than those from mediocre companies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/when-screening-engineers-from-other-companies-its-smart-to-value/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“No matter who you are, you need two kinds of friends in your life. The first kind is one you can call when something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/no-matter-who-you-are-you-need-two-kinds-of-friends-in-your-life-the/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [“The difference between being mediocre and magical is often the difference between letting people take creative risk and holding them too tightly accountable. Accountability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/the-difference-between-being-mediocre-and-magical-is-often-the/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) [Explore all 207 Ben Horowitz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) ## More Clear quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I try to listen to all music with an open head, a clear head, try not to say just because I don't know it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/i-try-to-listen-to-all-music-with-an-open-head-a-clear-head-try-not/) [Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/) > [God's Word does provide life lessons to teach us how to live. And it gives us beautiful poetry that gives voice to our human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rothschild/god-s-word-does-provide-life-lessons-to-teach-us-how-to-live-and-it/) [Jennifer Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rothschild/) > [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [I've always made it clear that I do not believe that global government is either necessary or feasible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/i-ve-always-made-it-clear-that-i-do-not-believe-that-global/) [Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/) > [The moment it begins to question itself, the mind becomes so clear that it starts working with itself rather than with the body's identification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-katie/the-moment-it-begins-to-question-itself-the-mind-becomes-so-clear/) [Byron Katie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-katie/) > [Alec Wilkinson is a spare, clear, and lucid writer who works in stylistic simplicity with material that is not simple at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/alec-wilkinson-is-a-spare-clear-and-lucid-writer-who-works-in/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) Browse all 7,410 Clear quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As long as people are clear on what they need to do and what's going on, you're very likely to succeed. When nobody is clear, then you're guaranteed to fail.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ben Horowitz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they-need-to-do-and-what-s-going/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clear" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they-need-to-do-and-what-s-going/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/ben-horowitz-1791_clear_as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they_1627902.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/ben-horowitz-1791_clear_as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they_1627902.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4e/ben-horowitz-1791_clear_as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they_1627902.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As long as people are clear on what they need to do and what's going on, you're very likely to succeed. When…” — Ben Horowitz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ben Horowitz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As long as people are clear...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they-need-to-do-and-what-s-going/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/as-long-as-people-are-clear-on-what-they-need-to-do-and-what-s-going/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```