Recognizing the importance of time management for leaders, Marilyn Paul and David Peter Stroh produced a profound article that appears on Systems Thinker. The article expands on this critical leadership element and offers recommendations based on a new approach to time management that is believed to outperform traditional approaches. The recommendations are:
- Emphasize Sustainable Productivity
Does working harder for longer result in greater efficiency? Initially, it may, but things will eventually change as brain functioning diminishes and stress levels rise, causing negative consequences. Productivity is sustained when everyone does the right things well and on time. - Recognize and Diminish the “Phantom Workload”
The phantom workload is the unintended work that results when workers cut corners or avoid difficult but essential tasks. Minimize phantom workload by refining and explaining the organization’s mission, vision, and values; identifying and resolving conflicts; simplifying decision-making; and providing effective feedback. - Manage Time in Four Leadership Domains
The four domains are the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical realms, which parallel four primary leadership functions; namely, activating commitment, thinking strategically, building relationships, and organizing for action. Activate commitment by having a focal purpose on which to maximize your limited time. Think strategically by defining fewer goals, controlling trade-offs, and correctly calculating time requirements. Build relationships by making steadfast commitments, managing productive meetings, and managing your energy. Plan actions by sorting and filing information, tracking commitments, and managing emails. - Behavioral Change for Sustainable Time Management
Behavioral change requires knowing your purpose for the change and the cost of remaining as is versus the benefits of changing. Achieve your desire by creating a vision of it and using that vision to help you achieve it. Refrain from making false judgments about your time-management challenges by correctly examining their causes. Then, enlist the support of others to modify your time usage. Adopt time-management strategies such as streamlining your mission, vision, and goals and controlling to-do lists. Experiment with different strategies to find which ones yield the best outcome.
As a leader, you should be fully cognizant of what is essential to your role. eCornell’s Leadership Essentials program will clarify the essentials, which include the proper management of your time and priorities.
eCornell courses are approved by SkillsFuture Singapore for SkillsFuture Credit as well as by HRDF Malaysia under its SBL Scheme.