Priorities

Not everything is time-critical.

Make sure that you delegate early, so that your delegatees have enough time to complete that job, as well as all of the other things they have to do. Don’t wait until YOU have a time-crunch to delegate—delegate proactively and PREVENT time-crunches.

Just because something is YOUR priority does not mean that is will be seen as a priority by someone else. If you need something immediately, confirm with the delegatee that they have time to do it immediately. If they have other projects, coordinate to get some of them pushed back or reassigned. This is usually not a problem if the person reports to you, but it can create chaos if the person reports to multiple people. Don’t assume that the assignment you have given them is more important than anyone else’s.

Respect that your people don’t have unlimited time and energy. Teach them time-management and prioritizing the right projects by doing it yourself. Walk the walk.

(image source: workchronicles.substack.com/p/comic-when-you-get-a-chance)