How to Avoid Fueling a Culture of Busyness

"Leaders Beware! Every time you open your mouth, you create culture." - Stephen R. Covey

Over the years, I've come to realize that in most organizations, most of the time, people tend to do what leaders recognize and reward.

This doesn't mean that team members always believe that what the leader recognizes and rewards is important. Nor, does it mean that they are excited about, energized from, or committed to the activity. It simply means they do it because they know that the leader will ask about it.

Imagine this...

You are sitting in a team meeting. Team members are discussing work with their leader. The session starts with one person telling the leader about what he is working on and how busy he is.

The leader seems impressed, and offers a few positive words about the team member's efforts. The team member feels validated because of his hard work and his busyness. It's clear that his busyness is valued.

One-by-one, the attendees report on the activities they are performing. Each subsequent presenter goes a bit longer in an effort to demonstrate how busy she or he is.

The team members are very busy - they've got a lot going on.

The leader seems pleased. Praise is heaped upon the employees for how busy everyone is and all that they are doing.

The session ends with a motivational, "Let's get back to work!"

People file out of the room...

Now, imagine that these questions are swirling around in their heads:

• Sure we are busy, but what are we doing that truly matters?
• If we are so busy, why do I come home most days feeling like I didn't get any real work done?
• I have heard the same person discuss the same things for the last month with no real progress. When is the leader going to hold him accountable?

Now, imagine this...

You are the team leader. You have fueled a culture where busyness is rewarded.

• Maybe all of it started from a good place. You wanted people to be involved, to get on board, to be recognized for their efforts. So, you started praising activity.
• Perhaps it occurred because you and the team are caught in a crazy environment and are trying to get some traction - any traction. Thus, praising busyness feels right.
• Or, maybe you simply haven't taken the time to clarify what matters most, don't like to hold people accountable, or thrive on activity yourself.

Keep in mind, your team doesn’t exist to simply do things. It exists to deliver results. Don't get these two confused, as they aren't necessarily the same things.

Take a quick look at this 1 minute video about measuring busyness

Now what?

I invite you to take time to complete the activity I discussed in the video. It's an easy three-step process that might prove very enlightening. Click here if you want to download a free pdf document that I put together with exercise instructions and a form for your team members to use.

In the end, you and your team will be glad you had the discussion.

Best- Patrick

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I try to be a catalyst for change and improvement by providing thoughts on leaders, brands, and careers. Some of my ideas are spot-on, many are works in progress, and, admittedly, others miss the mark. That’s the nature of brainstorming and trying things. I’m okay with that.