Busy, Schmizzy

I get it, we are all busy. I hear it constantly from clients, supplier partners and even my work associates. But there is a difference between busy and meaningful.

In America, research shows that Americans in particular perceive busyness as a status symbol. The key word here is “perceive.” That’s because the findings have everything to do with the image of being busy and nothing to do with the results of their efforts.

Spiker Insights

Busy work and attitudes happen when people do not have clear goals. Eliminate the waste by giving work a meaningful purpose. Is meaningful work being pushed aside in favor of easy-to-do work with no real impact? We have to prioritize our team’s workflow so they are focused on what will deliver the most value to the team. And as leaders, we cannot be afraid to set aggressive deadlines for that work. We need to keep everyone zeroed in on meaningful achievement and results for our labors.

In dealing with other leaders, it can be frustrating because some of them are distracted. Those are the most frustrating ones to work with. It’s our job to help others grow, to create a work environment that is buzzing with purpose. Busyness is not a badge of honor in today’s world.