I have a great feeling about this particular team. The demands of working for the second largest bank in the world can be relentless, but they leverage strengths like:
- working with very bright people
- a palpable commitment to high quality work
- deep technical expertise
- and being extremely capable of delivering.
They also face challenges faced by many executive teams in large companies, like:
- sustaining a shared clarity about the big picture
- culling myopic or reactive execution practices
- navigating the growing size and complexity of their organization
- and working smarter rather than harder.
So why am I so optimistic about their ability to excel?
Because in the midst of yet another hard charging week, they exercised a discipline that helps Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and other business notables out-lead, out-innovate and out-sustain the competition. They took time out to think together.
As Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, wrote: "...if you don't take the time to think proactively you will increasingly find yourself reacting to your environment rather than influencing it. The resulting situation will inevitably require far more time (and meetings) than thinking strategically would have to begin with."
Regularly carving out time to think is an essential but often elusive practice. So how can you turn this good intention into a sustainable habit?
Here are three approaches to consider:
Recognize the stigma of the alternative
"Uber-busy" used to infer "uber-important." Increasingly, too busy is viewed as the new lazy. Double parking appointments and running flat out through limitless days can make others question your commitment to high quality work. As one 360 feedback source asked, "If he can't manage his schedule, how is he managing our function?"
Curate your commitments
In other words, find ways to say no so that you can say yes. What is it time for you to let go of, so that you have the bandwidth to do something better? Spending more of your day doing what only you can do increases the odds that you're utilizing your teams well.
Design your time
Think about what doing your best work looks like. Then find ways to link elements of the approach in this video to creating a habit of working that way:
