LEADERSHIP: DELEGATE? OR JUST STOP IT

Published: 2007-04-10   please add a comment below

When did you last reprioritise your diary? But that's the easy part. When did you actually stop doing something? Dropped, finished, gone! That's the tough one.

Leaders find it hard to shed commitments - at times, even to delegate. They feel responsible. This is part of the reason they're leaders. But too many commitments can lead to fragmentation and doing nothing well. And, your people may notice and talk (at least behind your back). To them, your priorities could seem inefficient, time-wasting or even selfish. It's worth a moment's thought.

Often the low priority items were once important. But today, where do they rate? Yes, your predecessor supported them. But, so what? Or, you may enjoy them. But again, so what? The question is where and why do they fit in your schedule today - at work but also including time available for family, keeping fit and so on?

Classic diary barnacles and timewasters are irrelevant meetings. And, unproductive social or industry events. And, unnecessary travel. Wow, there’s a time waster. Particularly, today when so much can be done online or by videoconference. There can be merit in all of these. But, what was the value-add from your most recent meeting, dinner or trip? And, who and what got bumped? I'll guarantee there was someone - a colleague, customer or family member - who's feeling frustrated.

So, when did you last sit down (alone or better with someone else) to establish criteria and evaluate each commitment in your diary - particularly the recurring ones? Few people do it. They just keep on shuffling. None of us like saying "no". But, that's what effective leaders do. They're careful with their time and energy: always seeking to maximise the value-add from each segment of their day.

Prioritise - and avoid the rush later!

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Dr. Timothy Pascoe AM
PhD (Cambridge), MBA (Harvard), BE & BEc (Adelaide)
Creator, V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership^®

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