This works for me, mainly because I’m less task-oriented. But I learnt long ago it can help in several ways, especially for leaders:

• Develop better strategy
• Be more effective (and efficient)
• Get more enjoyment from what you do

Three steps I use are:

1. Figure out what doesn’t need to be done, and don’t do it.
2. Simplify, automate, delegate and otherwise avoid doing yourself anything that must be done (and do it fast if it is yours to do).
3. Maximise time to explore, think, and have chats over coffee and tea to maximise time to make connections, build understanding, build teams, be creative, and let serendipity occur.

Side benefits:

• Busywork is avoided
• Build connections with people
• Enable others to be more effective
• Achieve more doing less yourself

Any more?