There is a constant pull toward discovering ways to be more productive and more efficient. The leaders we serve are thankfully always asking us how they can be more productive, more efficient, get more things accomplished, and manage themselves and their time better and better.
We love to help them discover how to do this, but this comes with a caution on our part. We must be very careful about the idea that simply becoming more productive and more efficient therefore means that we will get greater results. This is such a seductive idea in today’s world.
You might be thinking that if we could just be better at doing more, doing it more efficiently and doing it in a more balanced way, we will therefore be much more impactful. While that may be true much of the time, when considering any work that we are doing that is oriented toward people, where we are trying to get results in the lives of people, this idea isn’t necessarily always going to be true.
In fact, there is an inverse relationship that usually exists. If it is highly inefficient then it is likely to be very effective, and if it is highly efficient then it is rather expected that it can be ineffective.
For instance, it just doesn’t scale well to meet with everyone face to face. Yet, we know that this is one of the more effective ways, if not the MOST effective way, to build an authentic relationship. It does not scale well to call people on the phone personally and get to know them, but we know this is highly effective.
Here’s two simple action steps you can take today to unleash yourself from the efficiency trap.
- Identify 2 methods you are using because they are efficient, but deep down you know they aren’t actually effective in getting you key results (raising more money, growing your number, making a difference, etc.) Then, eliminate these from your life as a leader.
- Identify 1 way of building relationships and influence that you know achieves remarkable results. Then, focus on how you can teach others to spend a portion of their time engaging in this activity to grow your key results.