What’s on your calendar? Often, your time is scheduled in 15-, 30-, and 55-minute blocks. You probably don’t need me to tell you how precious each block is. But are you letting the calendar run you or are you intentional with the choreography of your days? If your work duties don’t fit into one of three zones, they don’t belong on your plate. Each zone should be part of every month of every year. At first, you may spend more time in one zone of the three zones I will outline than the others. A healthy blend is the goal. The balance I recommend to my clients is 10 percent or less in delegation; 80-85 percent in strategy; 10-20 percent in showcase. If you are not a boss or strategic leader of an organization, these percentages can still apply to you. Realize your strategy may be more in the doing toward growth than the planning for it.
Delegate
Delegation may sound easy, but let’s make sure. Can anyone else do any of the tasks you are doing today? If yes, then you are not delegating enough. As a leader, avoiding robust delegation could become your detriment. When you delegate well, you gain the space you need to accomplish priorities that encompass your role. In turn, time opens for the other two zones.
Strategize
For strategic leaders, the strategy zone is the place to spend most of your time. If this isn’t the case, it means you have much more delegation to do. Start with a forensic analysis of your calendar and clear it of things others can handle as soon as possible. You also empower others on their own leadership journeys. Then, get ready to deep dive into organizational functions over which you have responsibility and, if needed, enlist the aid of your C-Suite peers and direct reports to leverage the best results. Schedule Think Time on your calendar that is devoted to long-term planning and visioning. Make sure that time remains protected.
Showcase
Often, the most difficult zone for company leaders is showcasing because it requires you to call out your accomplishments. Showcasing does not equal bragging—an important distinction. When you showcase a win by your team or the fact the Wall Street Journal recently interviewed you, the value of the entire organization grows. Showcase in an authentic and collegial fashion, and you will boost your personal and company brands. If your organization has an internal or external publication or chat system, you have a natural venue for showcasing. You can also showcase your direct reports in front of their colleagues at internal and external events. Use your creativity. This zone builds morale. If you need a push, give yourself an assignment of at least one showcase activity per month.
Roshini Rajkumar is a crisis strategist, C-Suite advisor, licensed attorney, and author of Communicate That! She is an analyst for media outlets around the US and hosts The Crisis Files podcast–check it out at TheCrisisFiles.com. For more strategic insights, go to RoshiniInc.com.
