The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

102 / TAKING UP YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLE

Focusing your energy

As a leader, you are likely to be inundated with communications,

requests, new tasks, and initiatives. Recognizing—and focusing on—

what is really important is critical to your success and that of your

team; it is vital that how you spend your time reflects your priorities.

How to prioritize tasks

Typical activities

>> Dealing with phone calls

and emails as they come in

>>^ Dealing with others’

priorities not in line with

your vision

Typical activities

>>^ Low-level meetings

>>^ Time-wasting

>> Unfocused browsing

What happens when you spend

time on this

>> Lack of clear goals

>>^ Crisis management

>>^ Feeling out of control

>>^ Behaving inconsistently

What happens when you spend

time on this

>>^ Failure to take responsibility

>>^ Inability to complete jobs

>> Increased dependence

on others

>>^ Insecurity

HIGH URGENCY: LOW IMPORTANCE

LOW URGENCY: LOW IMPORTANCE

Action: Delegate it

Action: Leave it

LOW

LOW

HIGH

URGENCY

IMPORTANCE

US_102-103_Focusing_your_energy.indd 102 31/05/16 5:28 pm