From Doing to Leading: Focus on What Really Matters

Let's face it—being a leader can sometimes feel like you're juggling a million tasks at once. If you're spending more time doing than leading, it's time for a change. 

I've got a simple exercise for you that, when paired with my 4 Pillars of Empowerment, will help you reclaim your time and focus on what truly drives growth.

The Three-Column Hack

Here's how it works: grab a piece of paper or your notes app, and create three columns:

1. What Am I Doing Today?
2. What Can I Delegate?
3. What Can I Stop Doing Altogether?

This exercise is about getting clear on where your time is going and figuring out how to free yourself up to lead. Let's dive into each column.

Column 1: What Am I Doing Today?

Start by listing out everything you're handling today—big or small. Meetings, emails, problem-solving, you name it. This gives you a clear snapshot of where your time is currently going.

Column 2: What Can I Delegate?

Now, take a look at your list and ask, "What can someone else handle?" This is where the first pillar, Trust and Autonomy, shines. Delegating isn't about offloading work—it's about empowering your team to take ownership. Here are three tips to make delegation work:

1. Match Tasks to Strengths: Delegate tasks based on your team member's strengths and development goals. This not only ensures the task gets done well but also helps your team grow.
2. Provide Clear Instructions: Set clear expectations and provide the necessary context so your team knows exactly what success looks like.
3. Trust, but Verify: After delegating, check in periodically to ensure things are on track without micromanaging. This reinforces accountability while giving your team the space to excel.

Column 3: What Can I Stop Doing Altogether?

Finally, ask yourself, "What's on this list that doesn't actually need to be done?" This is where Communication and Transparency come into play. Cutting out unnecessary tasks frees up your time and helps everyone stay focused on what really matters. Here are three tips to help you decide what to stop doing:

1. Assess the Impact: If a task isn't contributing to your strategic goals, it's a candidate for elimination. Focus on activities that align with your mission and drive results.
2. Consider the Opportunity Cost: Every task you do means something else doesn't get done. Ask yourself, "What am I giving up by doing this?" If the cost is too high, it's time to cut it.
3. Listen to Feedback: Sometimes, we hold onto tasks out of habit or a sense of obligation. Check-in with your team or peers to see if they find value in what you're doing—or if they think it's something that could be dropped.

To help you start NOW, I am including a link to the 3-Column template here in pdf.

Using the 4 Pillars to Maximize Your Impact

This exercise isn't just about managing your time better; it's about leading smarter by leveraging the power of my 4 Pillars of Empowerment:

• Pillar 1: Trust and Autonomy - Delegating effectively empowers your team and builds a culture of trust where everyone feels capable of taking on more responsibility.
• Pillar 2: Communication and Transparency - Cutting out unnecessary tasks and being clear about what's important helps keep everyone aligned and focused on the big picture.
• Pillar 3: Growth and Innovation - Freeing up your time allows you to focus on strategic initiatives, explore new opportunities, and drive innovation in your organization.
• Pillar 4: Systems of Accountability - Even as you delegate and eliminate tasks, maintaining systems of accountability ensures that everything continues to run smoothly and that your team delivers on its commitments.

The Bottom Line: Leading with Purpose

Using this three-column hack along with the 4 Pillars, you'll transform how you lead. You'll move from being overwhelmed by day-to-day tasks to focusing on what truly matters—driving your organization forward with intention and clarity.

Remember, leadership isn't about doing it all—it's about doing what matters most. Start implementing this approach, and watch how it transforms your leadership style and the results you achieve.

So, take a step back, reassess how you're spending your time, and start leading with purpose. Your team—and your future self—will thank you.

Want to know more? I'll give you 3 choices.

1. Download my book with no obligation or cost
2. Schedule a 25-minute no-obligation chat with me 
3. Do nothing