Why saying "I'm so busy" may be hurting your credibility
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In a world that has attached a strange nobility to the notion of being busy, effective leaders stand out by avoiding the "I'm so busy" trap.
One of the most effective leaders I've ever known was highly productive, and yet operated at a pace that was somehow both urgent and yet unhurried.
This leader had learned that "I'm so busy" strikes a blow to a leader's credibility. While "I'm so busy" is usually intended to project importance, in reality the credibility of a leader who over-uses the "I'm so busy" line will always take a hit.
When someone asks how you are doing, answering with "I'm so busy" can actually communicate something quite different than is usually intended. You could inadvertently be conveying that…
"I'm so disorganized…"
The more organized, focused and intentional you are in your leadership, the less busy you will appear. That's a simple fact of leadership.
So when leaders continue to run at a frantic pace, and keep telling everyone how busy they are, what people are actually seeing is often just a reflection of poor organization skills and lack of focus.
"I don't have clear goals…"
Without clear goals, a precise strategy and iron-clad priorities it's easy to just run around from one disjointed activity to the next.
It might look like hard work, but in many cases it's just squandered energy.
"I can't build teams…"
Show me someone who keeps telling everyone they're busy, and I'll show you someone who might not have team-building skills.
Because leaders who know how to build, empower and motivate teams also know how to spread the work around.
"I've mismanaged this project…"
Nothing will bring out the "I'm so busy" chants quite as fast as a project that has been allowed to run amok.
Rather than fessing up, some people will simply grab onto the "I'm so busy" lifeline.
"I'm just trying to impress people…"
Let's face it.
Our culture has hoisted the notion of "busy" onto such a pedestal that many people have simply learned to mimic the "I'm so busy" mantra merely as a status symbol.
So keep your goals clear, your projects in line and your teams on task.
You'll not only be more productive, but you'll save your credibility along the way.
 | Scott Cochrane serves on the executive team for the Willow Creek Association, as Vice President, International Ministries. He was born and raised in Canada, where he became connected to the Willow Creek Association, first as a marketing director and later as the ministry’s Chief Operating Officer. Following a five-year stint as Executive Pastor of a large church, Scott returned to Willow Creek Canada in 2009 as Executive Director, and in 2012 relocated to Illinois to take up his current post with the Willow Creek Association. Learn More » |
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