LEADERSHIP: YES, SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

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

You won't become famous by being efficient.  It’s too mechanical.  But leaders are brought down by the opposite.  Inefficiency is something your detractors can point to.  It annoys – and offends – people.  No one likes their time being wasted. 

Many years ago, I worked with a political leader, who was often late and frequently unprepared for meetings.  His personal staff was also disorganised.  His chief of staff looked like an unmade bed.  While the leader wasn't inspiring, he had some merit on big-picture issues.  But, his enemies focused on the small stuff and the embarrassment it caused.  And, they brought him down.

Ever since, I've had a healthy respect for order and efficiency; and, for making beds!

Test yourself!  Do you run good meetings - with an agreed agenda and clear outcomes?  Do you systematise and standardise processes?  Deliver on time, and on budget?  Do you pinpoint and deal with wastage?  How did you fare?

My political friend would have scored low on most items.  But, what were his most serious failings - and they're not on the list?  First, not recognising his own inefficiency; and then, not compensating with good staff.  Many people find it tough to get organised.  Self-discipline might help.  But, failing that, hire efficient support!

Do you want to lift your own efficiency?  Why not make a list?  But this'll only help, if you act on it.  Otherwise, you've just wasted more time.  Sadly, some leaders have lots of efficiency techniques (lists and endless meetings) but nothing actually gets done – except making themselves and others less efficient.

Here's a practical step.  Why not try it?

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