In complex, chaotic times, people can feel that they’re busier than ever.
Quint Studer, an author and co-founder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group, says that when he speaks to groups he asks, “Whose plate is chock-full right now?” Usually, every hand goes up.
This is not a new response. Leaders are full-plate people and most likely always will be.
During these talks Studer says, “I know you. You’re all achievers. It’s probably in the back of your mind that once you get this project done or when the budget process is finished, you won’t have a full plate. But trust me, as soon as those projects or milestones pass, you will add something else to your plate. It’s just what leaders do.”
Leaders will never complete their to-do list, and that’s okay. But if they have this fantasy that they’re going to complete the to-do list, they’ll be frustrated when they don’t. Leaders can reduce stress or anxiety by clarifying expectations.
One of Studer’s favorite sayings is that serenity is directly proportional to expectations. When people expect their plate to always be full, it gets easier. Once leaders accept that they will always have a full plate, they can begin to figure out how to best manage their plate. The key is to ask:
- Are some “main courses” on the plate (A items) more important than others? Are some things side dishes (B or C items) that can wait?
- Am I trying to do too much? What can only I do? What can I do in partnership with somebody else? What can I teach somebody else to do?
- Is it okay if this doesn’t happen — or doesn’t happen like it used to?
- Can we do fewer things on the list and still hit our goal?
- What action can I take right now to move things forward enough to free me up to move to something else?
- Do I have a good grasp on time frames and due dates? What on my plate must be managed first? What can wait?
Before adding something new to their plate, leaders should consider: How urgent is this? What’s the timeline? And they should train employees to ask: When do you need this?
People can overreact when they get a new assignment. Assuming everything is urgent can create a lot of stress.
Also, leaders should keep their project list in front of their boss. They should teach employees to do this too. Priorities change, items may come off the list, and leaders often forget to mention that.
Full plates and long to-do lists will always be a reality. They’re just part of the life of a leader. Yet, when leaders can shift their perspective and think in terms of managing activities rather than eliminating them, they can control stress and move a little closer to serenity.
For more tactical, high-impact leadership advice, please visit healthcareplussg.com/resources/books/sundays-with-quint/.
If you are interested in purchasing books or having Quint speak in-person or virtually, please contact info@HealthcarePlusSG.com.
Quint Studer’s bestseller “The Busy Leader’s Handbook: How to Lead People and Places That Thrive” is filled with tips, tactics and need-to-know insights. His book “The Calling: Why Healthcare Is So Special” is aimed at helping healthcare professionals keep their sense of passion and purpose high. In “Sundays with Quint,”he shares a selection of his popular leadership columns for leaders, employees and business owners in all industries. His latest book, “Rewiring Excellence: Hardwired to Rewired,” provides tools and techniques that help employees and physicians experience joy in their work as well as enhance patients’ and families’ healthcare experiences.
Quint Studer is a co-founder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group Healthcare Plus Solutions Group, a consulting firm that specializes in delivering customized solutions to diagnose and treat healthcare organizations’ most urgent pain points.
For more information, visit healthcareplussg.com.
