Beware The Busy Manager
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Business -> subcategory Management.
Beware the Busy Manager
Summary
A comprehensive 10-year study reveals that only about 10% of managers effectively complete important tasks. The majority, around 90%, engage in non-productive activities, procrastination, and needless busywork.Insights from the Study
From 1993 to 2003, researchers Heike Bruch and Sumantra Ghoshal examined managerial behaviors across various industries, as detailed in their book A Bias for Action: How Effective Managers Harness Their Willpower, Achieve Results, and Stop Wasting Time (Harvard Business School Press, 2004). Their findings show that over 90% of managers lack purposeful action in their daily work. They classified managerial behavior into four distinct profiles based on focus and energy levels:
- Purposeful Managers: High focus, high energy.
- Detached Managers: High focus, low energy.
- Frenzied Managers: Low focus, high energy.
- Procrastinators: Low focus, low energy.
Managerial Profiles
1. The Frenzied (40%): These managers have high energy but lack focus. Overwhelmed by daily tasks, they rush through their work without reflection, often missing what truly matters.
2. The Procrastinators (30%): Lacking both focus and energy, these managers avoid their most critical tasks, preferring to deal with minor details instead of tackling significant organizational challenges.
3. The Detached (20%): These individuals may have focus but no energy. Their detachment manifests as aloofness and apathy, draining motivation.
4. The Purposeful (10%): This small group effectively gets the job done. They remain focused and energetic, maintaining a calm and reflective demeanor amid chaos.
The Impact of Unproductive Busyness
The toll of inefficiency extends beyond individual managers to their organizations, affecting profits and morale. Frenzied managers, for example, often resort to short-term solutions due to time constraints, neglecting long-term strategic planning. This reactive approach, albeit well-intentioned, can be destructive.
Chronic procrastinators, often former frenzied managers, find themselves lacking energy and focus, leading to inaction and further inefficiency.
What Sets Purposeful Managers Apart?
Key attributes such as willpower, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose empower purposeful managers to maintain focus and energy. They execute their tasks efficiently, resisting distractions even when faced with uninspiring work.
Evaluating Managerial Performance
When assessing managers, consider their position on the focus/energy grid. Identify whether they are Detached, Frenzied, Procrastinators, or Purposeful. Determine if improvements can be made in focus or energy. Remember, busyness without meaningful results can lead to misguided assumptions.
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