Shifting from input to impact

More often when I ask leaders, ‘how things going?’, they say, ‘I’m so busy’. My next question is, ‘so what are you accomplishing?’. This question is invariably met with a blank stare.

Given our obsession with busyness and the endless distractions that grab our attention, many of us have lost our capacity to discern what is most important from what is less important we attend to. The inputs into our day are endless – the back-to-back meetings, continuous stream of emails, the endless interruptions, and operational firefighting.

As leaders, we rise or fall on the impact of our actions. To shift your attention away from the ‘inputs on your time’ to the ‘impact from your time’, here three things you could do:  

1. In meetings
   Rather than focus on the inputs – getting through the agenda, focus on the impact sought. What is most important for all to feel, think, and experience during and from the meeting?
   

2. In your interactions
   Rather than only focus on advocating your perspective and position, ask about how others may see things differently to you. By balancing advocacy and inquiry, you are more likely to secure greater understanding and commitment.
   

3. Your focus
   Rather than obsess on the endless list of ‘to do’s’ in the day, focus on how you want ‘to be’ during the day – reflect on what moods and assessments would better serve you and others to work through what’s most important and impactful.  

Your value as a leader is less about your capacity to deal with the ‘inputs’ on your time, but the impact of the ‘outputs’ from your time.