4 Ways to Work Less
Sincerity sweats when others rest. Aspiration keeps you working when teams go home. Kindness carries weight others should carry.
Virtues become liabilities when they make you indispensable.
Go further faster when you learn to put weight on others.
Work less. Multiplication beats exhaustion.
4 Ways to Work Less
#1. Who
Stop asking, “What can I do?”
Ask, “Who?”
- Who can help?
- Who knows?
- Who has energy?
- Who believes in our vision?
- Who is under-utilized?
- Who has ideas?
- Who can do what I can’t do?
- Who can do what I’m doing 70% as good as I do it?
- Who is more talented than I am? (Think again if you can’t think of anyone.)
- Who looks at things differently?
The answer to overwork is “who” not “what”.
#2. Develop
Develop people by giving them weight. Step back so they can contribute more. That’s not being lazy. That’s the work of leadership.
#3. Point
Talent likes to know the goal. But doesn’t like being told how to get there.
Point the way, then get out of the way.
The inability to get out of the way means you’re in the way.
- Inspire shared vision.
- Ask them how to accomplish the vision.
- Develop plans, goals, and objectives.
- Establish authority and accountability.
- Get out of the way.
#4. Trust
Trust people enough to let them do things differently.
Let people do things you wouldn’t do and say things that make you uncomfortable.
Listen deeply to uncomfortable things.
The goal is multiplication, not duplication.
What helps leaders work less?
Get a Grip on Your Schedule when Work is Out of Control – Leadership Freak
How Leaders Fight Back Against Overwork MIT
Eliminate all the unnecessary stuff–meetings, reports, metrics, etc.
Thank you for sharing, Paul.
This is so key — Trust people enough to let them do things differently. The true art of delegation and empowerment!!
You bring up a key idea, Julie. Trust.