From Hamster Wheel to High Impact
Redefining Executive Work Ethic -
Most Executives Are Ineffectively Busy
In the whirlwind of responsibilities that come with leadership, many executives find themselves trapped in an ironic cycle: they work so hard that they don’t have the time to figure out how to work more effectively. It's commendable to dedicate oneself to the job, especially in the early stages of a career when trying various approaches can yield invaluable insights. Similarly, during critical projects like mergers and acquisitions, putting in extra hours can be necessary. However, for the majority of the time, this relentless pace is counterproductive for executives.
Why is working too hard generally detrimental? It's simple: it often indicates that they are focusing on the wrong tasks. As Marc Randolph, former CEO of Netflix puts it, too much time is spent "chasing planes.” Making every decision, rewriting communications, excessive conflict resolution, and putting in appearances are all examples that indicate possible “plane-chasing.” Without scrutiny, the constant demands on an executives’ time draw them back into a cycle of over-allocation and under-effectiveness.
The essence of executive success lies in being discerning about where to direct energy and focus. The transformative strategy involves zeroing in on a select few priorities and becoming incredibly adept in those areas.
Which Things to Focus On / Culling the Rest
As high performers rise through the ranks into executive positions, the priorities they once valued must shift dramatically. The activities they once thought were performing are often not. This transition requires not only a new mindset but also effective tools to make informed decisions regarding time allocation. The first task in our coaching process is assisting executives in mastering these choices.
Understanding how time is currently spent is often a revelation for executives. Most have never scrutinized their schedules closely, and doing so can be illuminating. Additionally, executives must grasp the capabilities within their organizations. It’s not just about managing personal schedules; it's about comprehending how their organization functions as a whole. Our method employs a seven-point capability model, which includes taking stock of staffing, work process, methodologies, assets, deliverables, in addition to oversight mechanisms. This analysis aids executives in identifying organizational function and pin-point dysfunction that drain time and energy.
Designing an executive role within an organization is often misunderstood. Many executives equate leadership with delegation. However, real leadership encompasses much more than simply outsourcing tasks. Proper role design requires an balancing act of changing communication flows, establishing work quality and standards, setting escalation criteria, and fostering staff development. Only through a holistic approach can delegation actually occur. Without it, errors and miscommunications can easily drag executives back into their habitual busyness.
By adopting our method, executives frequently discover they can reclaim 20-40% of their time, redirecting it towards more strategic pursuits without losing oversight of their teams’ activities. In addition, they more clearly understand how to design and direct their organization’s output, increasing the total impact of the organization with the oversight time they retain.
Actioning the Insight
How can you start implementing these insights to improve your effectiveness as an executive? Here are some actionable steps:
- Track Your Time: Begin by meticulously logging your activities to identify where your time is truly going. This initial step is crucial in recognizing patterns and pinpointing areas for improvement.
- Get Clear on Your Organization’s Deliverables: Develop a thorough understanding of your organization’s capabilities. Recognize what needs to be delivered and how your team functions to achieve these goals. This awareness helps in aligning your focus with organizational strengths and weaknesses.
- Move Yourself to an Oversight Position: Redefine your leadership role to enable effective oversight. This doesn’t mean relinquishing control but rather enhancing your ability to monitor decisions and outputs without micromanaging each one. Aim to position yourself where you provide strategic guidance rather than attend every meeting or make every decision.
By focusing on a refined understanding of both personal and organizational impact, you open the door to a more balanced, effective leadership approach. With the right tools, executives can escape the trap of overwork and simultaneously drive more impact and reduce their own stress.
Until next week,