A challenge for executives with large teams is how to be ‘effectively productive’, to not feel overwhelmed, and interact with and give attention to what is necessary. And, it’s not just ‘how to be productive’ but also what to be productive about?! I wanted to share Robert Pozen’s article, “Extreme Productivity,” with you. For me, what’s missing on the list is the importance of surrounding yourself with extremely bright people who think out of the box and are not there to echo your idea, or to be a mini-you, but rather, those who bring genuine perspective and can help direct the executive to where focus is missing. A CEO spending the bulk of their time with the investors may be tons of time spent, but is that what is most productive for the company? A senior executive has to loosen the resistances to change, and not rely on their direct reports to interact with their teams, but rather mindfully determine what to focus on and how to achieve extreme productivity.  So, I think Pozen’s list starts the dialog but we need to expand on it with enthusiasm!

Review:  As executives, time is one of our most valuable assets, if not the most valuable. We all recognize the crucial importance of being productive in our work. So, how do we make the most of our limited time in practice? Robert Pozen offers some insightful thoughts on this subject in his article “Extreme Productivity,” published in this winter’s issue of Harvard Business Review. Having worked in academia, government and the financial sector (he was formerly a top executive at investment giants Fidelity and MFS Investment Management), Pozen proposes six principles for how you can be more productive.

1.      Know your particular strengths

• Don’t try to do everything that you can possibly do in the company. Delegate, and do those tasks that only you in your position can do. Bring your strongest skills to those projects that most need you.

2.      Not about the time you spend but the results you achieve

• More time does not equal more value. Instead, when we measure success by our results, we free ourselves to become more efficient.

3.      Think before you read or write

• Whether you’re trying to absorb lots of information or convey it to others, start by thinking, “Why am I reading/writing this?” Know what you’re looking for ahead of time; don’t just hope to stumble upon it somewhere down the road.

4.      Plan ahead but remain flexible

• Planning saves us time, but we run into snags when we book our schedules too tightly. Leave a small window of time open each day for the unexpected developments which invariably arise.

5.      Let others work independently

• Allow people to own their own space. Provide guidance, resources and support, but give employees autonomy in how they implement the priorities you lay out. This keeps them interested and encourages creativity and disruption.

6.      Keep personal habits simple

• Stick to a simple daily routine: wake up at the same time, eat the same thing for breakfast, etc. Have a travel routine as well. Be boring in the small stuff; this makes it easier to simplify your work life. E.g., keep meetings short and to the point – do not waste time lecturing for hours!

In addition to these useful tips, it’s refreshing to hear Pozen talk about the importance of healthy living and work-life balance. We are at our productive peak when we live healthfully, with healthy eating, solid sleep and regular exercise. These become even more important when we are on the road. For example, Pozen encourages sleeping a solid seven or eight hours a night, plus taking a midday power nap. Lastly, by limiting our work time, a work-life balance can help us to be more productive with the time we have – and keep us happier in the long run.

What to you think!?

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