This article was contributed by Ian Berry and fits perfectly with our New Year theme of achieving our goals, staying focused and not getting swept off track. More about Ian can be found below.
This article was contributed by Ian Berry and fits perfectly with our New Year theme of achieving our goals, staying focused and not getting swept off track. More about Ian can be found below.
Beware the Barriers of Busy-ness
Tomorrow is my daughter’s birthday. Although she lives in Perth, my wife and I have been most fortunate to have her and grandson with us in Melbourne this week (we live in Brisbane) I have also had an incredibly busy business week and managed to do everything with a minimum of fuss including going back to Brisbane for a day to speak at a conference and attend a meeting.
Often this week I have been reminded of the barrier of busyness. Most executives and managers I know are bound up by busyness. In no way is it exclusive to these roles however.
Here are some of the tell tale signs …..
- Problem Solving & Decision Making processes not being followed
- Decisions being continually revisited
- Documentation is produced in lieu of action
- Meetings occur with key players absent
- Meetings have no agendas
- Meetings are poorly conducted
- Whiteboards are full
- Diaries are full
- Inbox is full
- Negative body language of staff
- The leadership and management relationship harmony point, has not been found
- Massive confusion exists between what is communication and what is information sharing
How many are you observing in your place? Take the quiz..
I could go on and on.
Here are a few tips to ensure you are not bound by busyness
1) Educate yourself and others that communication requires both sending and receiving and results in agreement even if it is agreeing to disagree. Information sharing on the other hand is one way.
2) Refuse to attend meetings where there is no agenda available well in advance. Don’t discuss anything not on the agenda.
3) Review your effectiveness weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly.
4) Set aside time each week to do nothing. I sit under a tree somewhere for 4 hours per week. It is amazing how refreshed we can feel just by doing nothing.
5) Get your leadership and management balance right. For some of us it is 80% leadership and 20% management and for others it is the other way round. Remember leadership is about people and effectiveness. Management is about systems and efficiency. Leadership is art, management is science. The two must be in harmony for us to be the best we can be.
6) Do not tolerate negativity in any shape or form.
7) Block out a lot of space in your diary where nothing is planned. You will be astounded at how much more effective you become when your diary is no longer full.
8) Work on things that are important and urgent. Forget the rest.
9) Celebrate process more than outcome.
10) Spend time with positive children as often as possible. They have an amazing sense of self, initiative, curiosity, creativity and wonder
Be remarkable
Ian
Ian Berry is the CEO of Remacue, a global community of advisors with unique expertise in the art and science of being remarkable in business.
Based in Brisbane, Australia. Ian works internationally as a business success
strategist and a speaker at conferences and meetings. He is a leading authority in the design and implementation of people engagement systems that mean less work yet guarantee productivity improvements. More about Ian can be found at -