Chatting recently with a young executive who has great insights into the value of maximizing time.
His approach at work is to understand his strengths and those of his team and then look for opportunities to apply each person’s abilities toward the best possible result. He has embraced the truth that team performance is linked directly to individual performance and that “we all win when none of us are squandering time.”
I commented that such an approach sounds like a “mad rush to grab everything you can, right now” and he countered by describing a holistic attitude where relaxation and generosity were just as valuable as profits and growth. In fact, our interview was conducted while he was at home, playing with his kids DURING the work day.
Time Is Slipping Away
Asked to share a frustration, he confessed that he still hadn’t been able convince he CEO that someone else in the company could review invoices and sign checks. The CEO’s strengths involve sharing the organization’s vision and building relationships, but he insists on coming back to the office every two weeks to personally approve payables.
Nothing wrong with the boss keeping an eye on finances – more CEOs should – but this guy isn’t a “numbers person” and the exercise not only takes him away from doing what he’s best at, it makes him grouchy. Plus, there’s the additional time necessary to get things ready for him, time the accounting people could be using more productively.
The time squandered by what appears to be a sensible activity actually costs the company a half day of productivity. Time that can’t be replaced. Opportunity squandered.
What do you get PAID to do? How often do you DO it? It’s probably impossible to spend 100% of your time doing what you are paid to do, but you certainly can look at your calendar and find activities that can and should be done by someone else.
[Photo Credit - http://scott-theartofseeingsideways.blogspot.com ]
