Over the last several years there’s an assumption I’ve heard over and over: “It’s Got to be Me….It’s Got to be Me” (feel free to sing the Frank Sinatra tune in your head when reading this).
I frequently talk with clients who’ve developed productivity crushing habits by taking too much ownership for executing routine tasks. They assume if they don’t personally do the task, the client won’t feel loved. Advisors feel this way with outside clients and leaders feel this way with their inside “clients”.
In many cases, this is a habit that has become an expectation, but not a necessity.
Do you expect:
- The bank president to cash your check?
- The doctor to take your blood pressure?
- The owner of the car dealership to change your oil?
The answer is “no”. Yet, many advisors and leaders feel compelled to attend personally to routine tasks.
If you told:
- The bank president: “I need this check cashed”
- The doctor: “My blood pressure needs to be taken”
- The car dealership owner: “I need my oil changed”
Would you feel badly treated, if they brought you a competent service person?
The answer is probably “no”. We’re in the habit of expecting others to do these functions. The key is “habit”.
Tip of the Day:
Consider what habits have drawn you away from performing the highest and best function for your role. Change the habit. Here are some tips:
- Ask team members what others could do for you
- Brainstorm how to re-allocate team roles to eliminate “wasted time” for everyone
- Invest $$ in hiring people to complete routine tasks that are sucking time from skilled staff
- Train staff on how to diplomatically re-direct and take over services you need to off-load
- Train staff to politely communicate who does what on the team (including your chief role), every time they re-direct (repeat, repeat, repeat)
People will learn a new habit. If the team is polite and offers good results, you can make a smooth transition to a new habit. Over time, people will learn who does what and will self-select the right source for their need.
Resource of the Day:
It’s nice to learn I’m in good company. Shortly after I posted the blog Conquering Distractions & Getting Productive I received a McKinsey article with many of the same ideas. Here is the link for you:
