In today’s hyper-connected world, where being left on ‘read’ is unacceptable, and notifications trigger a compulsive need to check our devices, successful leaders often find themselves exhausted. It seems that the more successful they become, the more stressed they feel. However, stress doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of the journey to success.
According to Jacqui van Rooijen, a business strategist, leaders set an example for their teams, and the team members will follow the leader’s behavior. If leaders are too busy to think, connect, or even breathe, their team members are likely to behave the same way. Therefore, leaders need to balance their workload and lead by example, showing their team members how to prioritize and manage their time effectively.
1. Eliminate the Word ‘Busy’ from Your Vocabulary:
Language matters. Neuroscience research highlights that consistent thoughts and speech shape our physical environment. Replace the limiting term ‘busy’ with empowering words like ‘productive,’ and observe how your mindset, mood, and even that of your team start to shift.
2. Urgent vs Important:
Apply the Eisenhower Principle to guide prioritisation! Distinguish between urgency and importance to ensure valuable time is invested in tasks that truly matter. If you are chasing urgent all day, so will your team, and then you will never truly move the needle towards achieving your vision.
3. Boundaries and the Power of No:
Embrace the superpower of saying ‘NO.’ In a culture driven by the need to impress and, therefore, a compulsion to say yes to everything, clear boundaries empower leaders to operate from a position of strength. Elon Musk’s success stands as a testament to the strategic power of ‘NO.’ With limited time, he has said no to numerous opportunities, allowing him to focus on what he truly believes in. When you can clearly express your boundaries and, with love and respect, affirm them with a ‘NO,’ your approach to work transforms, embracing a new dimension of peace and purpose.
4. Honour the Time Limit:
Trust flourishes in the small details, like respecting meeting schedules and others’ time. Leaders need to exhibit a dedication to efficiency to foster trust within their teams. Avoid letting meetings exceed their allocated slots; it disrupts your team and breeds reluctance to engage in future sessions. If you’re running short on time, reschedule, and very soon, teams will become adept at optimising and being mindful of their own and others’ time too!
5. Avoid Emails at ALL Costs:
So many futile hours are wasted on emails! Minimise frustration caused by the CC and BCC brigade by using them solely for the transfer of information. Don’t respond to emails unless you are the only person in the business who can answer the question/solve the problem and don’t send any communication in an email that could been done on a call.
“It is quite challenging to make significant decisions when one is feeling busy or anxious. Therefore, leaders should not compromise their well-being or peace in the pursuit of influence, wealth, or status,” says van Rooijen. “If you want to experience the transformative power of high-impact leadership, you need to overcome busyness. I encourage you to give it a try and witness the positive change it can bring to your life,” she concludes.
