Managing Time and Priorities: The Crucial Challenge of a General Manager
Imagine trying to grade eggs while juggling them. Or, painting a masterpiece while skydiving. Now, welcome to the life of a General Manager of a small to medium-sized company! Just less mess and a few less adrenaline pumps (or so we like to think). Speaking from experience, being a General Manager in these contexts can be quite a challenging task.
The Core Challenge: Time and Priority Management
One of the main daily hurdles in this role, as found in a survey by McKinsey & Company (2018), is effectively managing time and priorities.1 This might not sound like a big shocker but it's the biggest egg in the basket. While the artists have their brushes and skydivers their parachutes, what tools and strategies do General Managers have at their disposal to glide through this acute challenge?
Taming Time - The General Manager's Mastery
First, plan your day in advance, scheduling blocks of time for different tasks. Prioritize objectives as per the company’s goals and stick to it with the tenacity of super glue. For instance, 'The One Thing' by Gary Keller advocates the significant impact of prioritizing 'ONE Thing' that will make everything else easier or unnecessary.2
A Friend in Delegation
Befriend the power of delegation. It not only saves you from burning out but empowers your team to grow. Jocko Willink, famed for his book 'Extreme Ownership', argues that 'Leaders must routinely delegate to see the full benefits of their team.3
Technology: Your 21st Century Magic Carpet
Embrace technology. Tools like Trello, Asana, and Hootsuite can be your Aladdin's genie, minus the three-wish limit.
The Power of Saying 'No'
Finally, don't shy away from saying 'No'. As Steve Jobs puts it, 'Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.'4 This can be a game-changer in your time and priority management.
Signing Off
All said and done, every day as a General Manager in a small or medium-sized company can feel like combing the ocean, but remember to keep learning, laughing, and iterating. After all, being a successful General Manager is just as amazing an art as the Mona Lisa and as thrilling as a skydiving expedition!
References
- McKinsey & Company. (2018). 'Time Management - A Survey'. McKinsey & Company.
- Keller, Gary. (2013). 'The One Thing'. Bard Press.
- Willink, Jocko. (2017). 'Extreme Ownership'. St. Martin's Press.
- Jobs, Steve. (2005). 'Stanford Commencement Address.'
