Effectiveness - The Top Priority

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Client: "I feel like I have to constantly be spinning all the plates."

Me: "What do you mean by 'spinning the plates'?"

Client: "If I don't have my hands in every aspect of my company, something's going to fall and fail."

Me: "How does that make you feel?"

Client: "Overwhelmed."

Ever feel this way? Do you feel you have enough time to complete your to-do list?

Getting stuff done, that's what they pay you for, isn't it? After all, according to Tom Peters, execution is the last 95%, right?

This feeling that you can never quite get it all done is not uncommon for leaders. Actually, you're right. You will never get it all done. Darn!

There will always be demands on your time from your employees, your board, your customers, and your suppliers. And let's not forget your family.

There are all sorts of time management books and techniques out there to help you. But I'm not here to give you more of the same advice. Nope.

A New Hope

There is hope. The solution, however, may surprise you. More on that as you read on.

Here's a thought. What if you're spinning the wrong plates?

In "CEO Excellence, The Six Mindsets That Distinguish The Best Leaders from The Rest", by Dewar, Keller, Malhotra, "The best CEOs kept all six plates spinning at all times..."

They list these six responsibilities (plates) of CEOs (in no particular order of importance):

1. Set the Direction (vision)
2. Align the Organization (culture)
3. Mobilize through Leaders (teamwork)
4. Manage Personal Effectiveness (time and energy)
5. Connect with Stakeholders (social purpose)
6. Engage the Board (relationships)

Expanding on Engagement, include not just your board, but everyone in your organization and your clients/customers, too.

And if I were to list these in order of importance, I would make Managing Personal Effectiveness number 1 or 2. Why?

Your Personal Effectiveness as a Leader

In my interview on the Accounting Influencers Podcast with host Rob Brown we talked about a range of topics about your effectiveness as a leader in a VUCA world (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity), including among others, managing your personal effectiveness. Here are a few snippets:

• 03:17 - Power of Mindset in Leadership.
• 10:25 - Breath control can make you a better leader!
• 16:30 - Recharge your Leadership battery.
• 19:05 - Tips for mental wellness.
• 23:41 - Essential skills leaders NEED!

Look, there is only so much time in a 24-hour day. You can't create more time but you can expand your notion of time.

The Solution

The solution boils down to how you think about time - your mindset. And the surprising secret to your success as a leader and being a great leader is this:

Schedule 'white-space' on your calendar.

You need time to recharge yourself. You need time to focus on the future direction of your team and your company. Let go of the notion that this is a waste of time because it's not!

Where's Your Focus?

Where you focus your time and energy is essential.

You can't be everything to everybody and you cannot be an expert in every aspect of your business (although you may think you are). There just isn't enough time.

The world of sports has taught me great lessons. I have found that the best coaches (in sports), the ones who are the greatest, have one common trait that stands above all others. They hire great assistants and let them lead.

Set the vision and direction, align the organizational culture, let your direct reports lead, and then get out of the way.

Some Final Thoughts

Build a legacy of relationships. Make it a habit to spend time with your colleagues and employees to get to know them better. The best CEOs do.

Sometimes "Just say no". Protect your need to recharge, daydream about the future of your company, and build your mental, physical, and emotional resilience.

When you make Managing Your Personal Effectiveness a top priority, you'll make better decisions and be the leader they need you to be.

Until Next Time!

P.S. Get my free Leadership Self-Assessment. It's 10 Dynamic Ways to Energize Your Leadership Skills and Strengths. You can get it right here.

Leading in uncertain and complex times is challenging. What separates good leaders from great ones is the 'inner game' or mindset of leadership. CEO Sensei, former BDO managing partner, and martial arts blackbelt, John Fenton is one of the few who address this critical aspect of leading well. A passionate, experienced, and articulate 'leader of leaders', John's unique methodology brings clarity, pragmatism, and encouragement to today's managing partners, board executives, and CEOs. He is an award-winning speaker, a heart attack survivor and the author of the bestselling book,?"5 Minute Mastery?, The Surprising Secrets for Transforming Your Stress to Success and Mastering What’s Important."