Do systems really matter?

Quick celebration: The Assistant Principal Podcast has over 2,000 downloads. We have about 40 subscribers, listeners in 30 states and 10 countries. The quality of the podcast is improving, and the next two episodes are going to be incredible!
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Colleagues,

tl;dr Standardized processes are a great way to get off the treadmill of the urgent!
 
The first principle of strategic leadership is to focus on purpose. Being caught on the treadmill of the urgent makes this difficult. Good systems help us get off the treadmill.
 
Here is the process for producing our podcast. SOP stands for standard operating process:

• Use email template to invite potential guest.
• If guest accepts:
  • Open show script template and insert their personal info and discussion questions.
  • Open template letter telling them how to schedule and paste in the discussion questions.
  • Send the email.
• Record episode on the scheduled day.
• After the interview, send another templated email and CC Mara and Lance. The letter thanks the guest, but also tells Lance that there is a new episode ready for editing and introduces the guest to Mara.
• A detailed SOP guides Lance in creating show notes, editing and loading the podcast. The final step is emailing Mara and I that the show is ready.
• This triggers Mara to grab quotes from the show notes and start developing social media posts.
• A week before the episode releases, Mara shares show notes and media ideas with the guest.

I could not do a weekly podcast without this process (and help from Lance and Mara).
 
The irony is that the leaders who most need systems are those who are too busy to design them! 
 
Are you one of those leaders?
 
Cheers!
 
Frederick