Time and time again, I write the same phrase: time is the ultimate wealth. For good reason too; it’s the one thing that we can never get back, give back, or make more of. It’s our most finite and precious resource, so we need to be massively careful with how we spend it.
Oddly enough, whenever you ask someone how they’ve been doing, the default answer – I’ve found this to be roughly 9 out of 10 times – is “busy.” How can this be? We’re certainly no more productive; even with all of the technologic advancements of our time. If anything, those advancements should allow us to be less busy.
Part of the problem, is that busyness is confused with accomplishment. We feel that if our time is occupied and our schedules are full, then somehow we’re doing our jobs. Really, though, when you’re constantly busy, it ultimately means that you just can’t effectively prioritize and manage your time.
On the topic of business, however, some might think that it’s more of a personal issue than a leadership issue. Quite the contrary. It’s a massive leadership issue. Leaders must be available for their teams. Leaders need to serve their teams and having the time to work with them and to council them is paramount. Thus, the busier you are, the less capable you will be as a leader.
Years ago, I worked for a company with a rather reclusive CEO. It was vital to my work that I have his buy-in and insight. Yet, when I’d work with his administrative assistant to schedule time, it would be weeks or months before I could get even a 30 minute slot to connect. When I did get on the calendar, our calls would usually be cancelled at the last minute, and if not, I’d be forced to wait on hold for upwards of 2 hours. The lesson for all of us, is that without freely available time for your team, you can’t be a leader. It’s that simple.
The problem is even bigger than that, however. Others in the company see the locked up schedule of the CEO, and they assume that’s how they’re supposed to operate. So, they too, fill up their calendars with meetings which ensure that their teams can’t connect with them. Of course, these people think they’re doing what’s expected and being leaders, but they’re actually sabotaging the company and their teams.
This was certainly the case at the company I’m speaking of. It was nearly impossible to get real time with anyone. If a full calendar is so vital to success, how was this company failing so miserably? This lesson made a huge impact on me. I worked to keep my calendar clear for my team, and as a result our team developed incredible chemistry and did work that had a tremendously positive impact on the company at a crucial time.
Remember, leadership isn’t just a “work” thing. It’s a life thing too. I took this lesson a step further and stopped checking email at night and on the weekend. When I was at home, it’s my job to lead my family. How can I do that if I’m always pre-occupied? I can’t. By turning off the email, I used my previous resource (time) to improve my family. Guess what? Nothing negative happened at work. If anything, it helped our team to perform better, as we were all refreshed.
On this topic of busyness, the underlying question is what this time is actually being used for. If we’re so busy, how do we ever plan or recharge – both necessary to achieve our goals? If we’re so busy, how do people manage to post on Instagram or Twitter or Facebook. It’s not that we’re busy with meaningful things, it’s that we’re filling our time with things that don’t impact our actual goals.
I believe a big reason for that is insecurity. By filling our time we avoid having to have hard discussions. We avoid having to ask ourselves the tough questions. We avoid having to do the hard work. Not only is busyness not an achievement or an indication of success, it’s my belief that it’s actually just a mechanism for us to hide from the things that we really need to do but make us uncomfortable.
That’s not what leaders do. Leaders make themselves uncomfotable and ask themselves the hard questions because that’s how they get better and how they make those around them better. How can you put this to work in your own lives?
It’s the same equation we always follow: Find what’s important and develop a plan. In this case, it’s vital that you don’t let anything get in the way. It’s not just OK to say no to things that don’t support your goal; it’s necessary. Protect your time like it’s your first-born. Lastly, make sure you build in frequent time for introspection for yourself. It’s vital if you want to be able to develop as a leader.