Structure & Balance

Structure, in the office and at home, allows you freedom to be impulsive…sounds confusing but makes sense when you think about it. Prioritising some of the day for you to work on the business or consider your next steps encourages considered risk taking rather than fire-fighting, so important when you manage a business. I do believe it is easier to be diary-led for essential meetings or events during the day but am constantly surprised at how many people rely on their memory. This can be great brain training but it is taking your focus away from the present. The complaint I hear from staff about their managing directors is, ‘It’s OK, I’m multi-tasking, I can talk to you and send this email at the same time” but I’m not convinced that either job is being addressed effectively or respectfully.

Multi-taking is sadly over promoted: it is far better to focus and do one thing well than to do too much at one time. For example, reviewing a staff member while checking emails or your phone is just rude, but photocopying and catching up on the weekend while the coffee machine warms up is practical. Think about your day, plan your meetings and consider how others feel when you respond with a rushed, brief answer instead of suggesting that you meet at a more suitable time when you can concentrate on the problem and give some genuinely considered feed-back.

Alternatively, over subscribing to structure can cause it’s own problems, limited ability to “go with the flow” or respond immediately to demands at work can result in small problems escalating…so, in reality, it’s all about balance, again.