Should you really be working harder?

Colleagues,

MVP: Working hard and making progress are two different things, and the first does not necessarily lead to the second.

It seems like every month I need to share something from Seth Godin, one of three daily emails I subscribe to. The full post is here, but this is the essence of it:

“The best jugglers don’t seem to be trying very hard.
That’s because they understand what the work involves, and they don’t confuse effort with results.”
This nails the contrast between urgent and strategic leaders!

Urgent leaders focus on action. They stay in motion, never pausing to ask the questions that would open up other possibilities. As long as they are working hard, they feel productive. Even when, at the end of the day, they wonder if their work actually makes a difference.

Strategic leaders focus on progress. They look for ways to make things slightly better. This requires them to pause. To ask questions of others, and to reflect. They ask “why?”

Today’s intention: If you are putting out the same fire over and over, you are treating a symptom. Consider asking why and figuring out the problem.

Cheers!

​Frederick