Is 2014 projected to be another “flat out” busy year for you?  Are you already wondering, “how much more can I take?  My family?”

Without a doubt, CEOs and executives today are extremely busy people.  What they ask of their people, they ask of themselves.  Flying and working online while their SkyMiles near or surpass1M miles, they wonder, is this marathon getting results?

Let’s reflect.  It’s still January, certainly enough time to adjust for 2014.

Q: In 2013, on average, what percent of your time was spent:

– In lengthy meetings to problem solve and re-prioritize goals

– Fixing issues that should have been taken care of by others

– Assessing delayed projects and accountability issues

– Agonizing over misalignment in your senior team or leader performance or behaviors

– Stepping in as chief rainmaker

– Filling in for open senior positions

– Wrangling with board members, perhaps disproportionate time with a select few

– Clearing up communication snafus

– Other time unidentified….

Add up your time and evaluate with a critical eye.  Can you afford another year where your time is consumed this way?  What are the missed opportunities because you are focused below the line of strategy?  Was time spent out of necessity or habit? What messages do your time decisions send to other leaders?  Lack of trust?  Focus?  Competence?

Consider the finding: “CEO’s account for about a 14% variance in a company’s performance” (Joyce, Nohria, and Roberson, 2003). Clearly CEO time matters and shareholders are counting on vigilance.

A: Commit in writing (% time) to intentionally shifting your time in 2014 to:

– Driving a clear and high value proposition for the business – a strong strategy with key differentiators and a robust financial model

– Creating and driving focus on the vital few strategies and goals

– Identifying what the organization is NOT going to do, including your pet projects

– Cultivating a high performing senior team who creates cadence and rigor around accountability

– Driving talent – filling gaps in the pipeline, making timely decisions and cultivating or infusing high potential       talent into the organization

– Tasking the middle of the organization to drive execution, tackle problems cross-functionally and build sustainable solutions

– Clarifying Board roles; leveraging time through the Board Chair versus random Board members

– Communicating intentionally and proactively

With these changes, 2014 will be busy but not a blur.  Instead, it will be a year punctuated with achievements through others.  Look to The Bailey Group to help you assess your current leadership practices and more strategically leverage your time.