FIVE QUESTIONS LEADERS NEED TO ASK (OF THEMSELVES)

The Second Question

By Edgar Papke

This is the second installment in the five-part series focusing on the five questions leaders need to ask of themselves. If you read the first installment, you likely discovered the five questions I am suggesting you answer are not new. That being said, they withstand the test of time. While they are simple to ask, yet they are often hard to answer. You may already have discovered this truth. This is because when asked of yourself, you’ll find that they are powerful.

Asking the five questions, and taking the time to answer them with consideration of your inner truth and intention, is a simple, yet very valuable gift to you. Giving yourself this gift is often the path to giving your gift to others and sharing it with the world. As corny as it may sound, the first question is a gift that keeps giving. This is why we began with the question, “What is my gift?” 

I now invite you to turn your attention to the second question:

What will be the key priorities of my focus?

Needless to say, the complexities of life can be nothing short of daunting. We can be, and often are, overwhelmed with the amount of communication and activity that we engage in every day of our lives. For leaders, with an expectation of doing more than most, this often results in the anxiety and fear associated with trying to juggle multiple priorities. Taking the time to reflect on our priorities can be a challenge. So much so, that studies show that the change many leaders would make in how they use their time would be to spend more of it reflecting on what they are doing, how it impacts their lives and decision-making, and how to use their time that best aligns to manifesting their purpose and mission, and acting in alignment to their legacy as a leader.

When we think of all the analogies that go with how we think about managing our priorities, the two that come to mind most often are juggling and balancing. The third is the analogy of keeping multiple plates spinning. What these all have in common is a fear of failure. Don’t loose balance and fall or loose direction. Don’t let a ball drop, or have plates crashing to the ground. At any level, the fears of failing or losing control can cause a great deal of anxiety and stress, as well as hide the fact that perhaps you’re simply trying to take on too much. It’s not uncommon for leaders to do so as they strive to meet multiple commitments, keep promises, be competent, and make sure that the people and organizations around them are not feeling ignored.

I’m going to suggest that you confront the fear and let things fall. It’s hard to keep your eye on all the priorities you’re juggling and spinning. So, why not let them fall?  It’s when they come to rest and you see all the competing interests before you, that you can gain some clarity and better sense of what you’re pursuing. I don’t mean this in a literal sense, that you not keep your current commitments or follow through on the activities you’re presently engaged in. What I am suggesting is that you step back and list all your priorities and examine how you’re spending your time. Then, based on your answer to the first question, examine your perceived priorities and identify the key two or three that provide the biggest return for your time and energy. In other words, stop trying to keep adding more priorities to your life and work, and focus on doing what best supports reaching your goals and which align to the fulfillment of your mission and purpose, and manifesting and delivering your gift.

So much of what you actually get done depends on your ability to truly focus on the quality of your work, including how you manage your relationships. It’s fear and unproductive stress that can get in the way. I’m merely suggesting it’s good to stop now and then to examine and reset your priorities, re-identifying what matters most, before events force you to. As a leader, you likely already know that if you don’t take the initiative to do it, life will remind you to.

If you find that you have four, five or possibly more key priorities, I suggest looking at them again and assuring that they are the best use of your focus, time and efforts. In my experience working with high-performing leaders, those that focus on two or three typically perform the best. When goals are accomplished, then they reevaluate and find the next priority to focus on. This thinking applies to work and key relationships, as well as the personal goals you are pursuing.

Answering this second question will undoubtedly lead you to the next two, asking you to consider what you ought to spend more time doing, as well as what you may want to spend less time doing. Before you do, please take some time to reflect on your priorities, how they align to your gift, and how you can be more focused on them. If there’s ever an application of the “80/20 rule”, you’ll likely to find it in your answer.

If you haven’t taken the time to consider the first question, I suggest you stop here and go back to it… trust in the process. It is the foundation from which to begin exploring the four questions that follow. As always, you are welcomed to the conversation. Please email me (info@edgarpapke.com) with your questions, thoughts and comments, and to share your ideas. Thank you.