5 Tips to Overcome Procrastination in Leadership and Drive Results

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Procrastination can impact anyone, but in leadership, its effects ripple beyond the individual. It not only stalls personal productivity but also affects team morale, trust, and business outcomes.

As leaders, the choices we make, or fail to make, have a profound impact on our teams and business outcomes. Procrastination might seem like a personal issue, but its ripple effects are far-reaching.

When we delay decisions, avoid difficult conversations, or put off strategic actions, it doesn’t just affect our own productivity. It impacts:

?? Team morale: Delayed actions create uncertainty, making teams feel unsupported and disengaged.

?? Trust: Leaders who procrastinate risk being seen as indecisive or unreliable.

?? Opportunities: The longer we wait, the more opportunities we miss, whether it’s making a key decision or seizing market potential.

Procrastination often hides behind fear, overwhelm, or perfectionism. But when we choose to act, we build momentum, demonstrate leadership, and create a culture of progress.

Leaders lead by example, even if that example isn't the best course of action. So if we want our teams to move forward, we must take the first step.

What is Procrastination?

Procrastination is the habit of delaying or avoiding tasks, decisions, or responsibilities, even when taking action is clearly in your best interest. It’s not about laziness, it often stems from deeper issues like fear of failure, perfectionism, or feeling overwhelmed.

For leaders, procrastination can be especially damaging because it influences not only their own performance but also the direction and energy of their teams.

What Does Procrastination Look Like in Leadership?

Procrastination in leadership often hides under the guise of being “busy.” Leaders might appear active and super busy but avoid high-priority tasks that require focus, courage, or effort. Here's 4 ways it commonly shows up:

1?? Delaying Tough Conversations

• Putting off addressing poor performance or conflicts within the team because it feels uncomfortable, or perhaps the perceived outcome is unwanted.
• Hoping problems will resolve themselves instead of confronting them head-on.

2?? Postponing Key Decisions

• Avoiding strategic decisions due to fear of failure or fear of getting it wrong.
• Overthinking and seeking more data or input long after it’s truly necessary.

3?? Focusing on Low-Value Tasks

• Spending time on “busy work,” like responding to emails or refining presentations, instead of tackling high-impact leadership tasks.

4?? Overplanning Without Action

• Creating detailed plans or conducting extensive research but never actually executing the plan.
• Getting stuck in analysis paralysis, waiting for the “perfect” time to start.

The Impact of Procrastination in Leadership

Procrastination doesn’t just affect leaders, it has a knock-on effect on their teams and business outcomes.

On the Leader

• Stress and Anxiety: Avoidance leads to mounting pressure and stress as deadlines loom or issues escalate and negative self-talk about what "I should have done by now" creeps in.
• Loss of Credibility: Teams may begin to see the leader as indecisive or ineffective, reducing their trust and respect and damaging relationships.
• Burnout: Procrastination often leads to rushed efforts to “catch up,” which can cause exhaustion and decreased performance.

On the Team

• Decreased Motivation: When leaders delay decisions or avoid tackling important issues, it can demotivate the team.
• Unclear Direction: Teams may feel unsure of priorities or what’s expected of them.
• Lower Engagement: A lack of leadership action can lead to disengagement, as team members don’t see meaningful progress or support.

On Business Results

• Missed Opportunities: Delayed decisions or actions can mean missed market opportunities or falling behind competitors.
• Inefficiency: Procrastination slows down progress, delaying results and reducing productivity.
• Reduced Innovation: Avoiding risks or failing to act on creative ideas can stifle innovation and growth.

How to Overcome Procrastination as a Leader

Breaking the cycle of procrastination starts with awareness and intentional action.

Here are five steps you can take today:

1?? Identify Your Triggers

Understanding why you procrastinate is the first step to addressing it. Often, procrastination stems from emotional triggers like fear, overwhelm, or lack of clarity.

?? Action Tip:

• Reflect on tasks you’re avoiding and what else is going on at the times when you notice you are procrastinating. Ask yourself: What makes this task uncomfortable? Is it fear of failure? Uncertainty about how to proceed? What am I feeling? What’s the worst that could happen if I act on it?
• Write down your answers. Recognising the root cause helps you take the next step with greater clarity.

2?? Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Perfectionism can paralyse action. Leaders often delay decisions or tasks because they want everything to be flawless. Shifting your mindset from “perfect” to “progress” can help.

?? Action Tip:

• Define what “good enough” looks like. Ask yourself: What’s the minimum I need to do to make meaningful progress? Can I refine this later if needed?
• For example, instead of aiming for a perfect presentation, start by drafting bullet points for your key message.

3?? Break Big Tasks into Smaller Steps

Large, complex tasks can feel overwhelming. Breaking them into smaller, actionable steps makes them more manageable. Set firm, realistic deadlines to create a sense of urgency and keep yourself on track.

?? Action Tip:

• Take the task you’ve been avoiding and divide it into smaller parts. For example, if you’re delaying a performance review, start with: Write down the key points you need to address. Plan how you’ll structure the conversation. Schedule the meeting.
• Focus on completing just one small step at a time and celebrate the win.

4?? Time-Block for Focus

Distractions and competing demands can pull you away from important tasks. Time-blocking creates dedicated, uninterrupted space to focus on what matters, where you can focus solely on the task at hand. Turn off notifications and minimise interruptions.

?? Action Tip:

• Schedule 30–60 minutes in your calendar for the task you’ve been procrastinating on.
• During this time: Turn off email notifications. Silence your phone. Let your team know you’re unavailable unless it’s urgent.
• Commit to making progress during this block, no matter how small.

5?? Seek Support and Accountability

Leadership doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Sharing your challenges with a trusted colleague, mentor, or coach can provide fresh perspectives and encouragement.

?? Action Tip:

• Reach out to someone you trust and say: “I know I’ve been avoiding [task]. Can we talk through it together?” “I need some help / a bit of accountability, can you check in with me next week to see how I’ve progressed?”
• Sometimes, knowing someone else is aware of your goals can be the push you need to take action.

Bonus Tip: Celebrate Small Wins

Each small step forward is progress and progress is worth celebrating. Acknowledging your wins helps build momentum and reinforces positive behaviour.

?? Action Tip in Detail: At the end of each day, write down one thing you accomplished, even if it feels small. This habit trains your brain to focus on progress rather than perfection.

Procrastination in leadership isn’t just a personal challenge, it affects your team, your organisation, and your outcomes. By taking intentional steps to overcome it, you not only increase your own productivity but also inspire and empower your team.

Points to Ponder

• What’s one task you’ve been procrastinating on?
• What’s stopping you from tackling it today?
• What impact is it having on you and your team?
• What one thing would make the biggest difference to you?

Share your thoughts in the comments or send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

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I'm Chrissie and I talk about Leadership Coaching and Development and Organisational Behavioural Analytics. I empower high achieving results driven business owners and leaders to create great employee experiences, realise their potential and grow their business?results

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