Whether you are managing a small group, a larger team, a department, or a company, it is easy to fall under the massive flow of information, requests, questions and daily tedium that your ability to lead your organization to success is seriously compromised. One successful CEO, Hotelier Ian Schrager, offered Fortune magazine (Nov. 26, 2007) readers some of his strategies for focused leadership.
-
Make Lists. If you try to keep remembering everything you need to accomplish, your mind will continually cucle to your To-Dos, and not allow your brain to move into long range strategic thought.
-
Change your Number. Schrager gives his Blackberry email and phone number to only a small group of senior executives so he can focus his time on the truly sensitive issues.
-
Cut back on meetings. Continually question the necessity of every meeting, especially those that are always held at the same time, same day, etc... Meetings become institutionalized.
-
Leave your desk. Seeing the reality of your operations is a great trigger for innovation and efficiency changes.
-
Watch pulp culture. Ideas come from everywhere. Observe the latest hot trends and try to discern the triggers. Things just don't happen. Can those triggers vault your organization to new heights?
-
Take vacations. Effective management is all about your ability to stay focused. Working nonstop, forgoeing vacations, working when sick--all of these habits diminish your focused vision. You have hired professionals to support your leadership--let them earn their pay when you are gone recharging your own batteries. (And make sure they follow this example!)
If you have other ideas supporting focused leadership, please add them to this blog entry!