The Value of Being Inefficient As a Leader

Adding more to the Leader’s jobs is daunting, but we want to surprise and delight with these reminders. We addressed “The Comedian” and “The Salesperson.” It’s time to understand “The Inefficient.”

We are looking at the easily forgotten or the unbeknownst.

Funny enough, as we climb the ladder, those who are quick, act with urgency, and can get volumes of work done get recognition.

Those who provide value and are valued while displaying patience, attention to detail, and building solid relationships are unicorns.

Effectiveness and efficiency are like peas in a pod. We, often, talk about one with the other.

Leadership is a job in people, and efficiency isn’t always part of that. That can quickly mess up a star performer. And, surprise them! It is a significant change from what got us promoted, right?

Stephen Covey’s wisdom on going slow to go fast with people is precious for leaders.

Here are some key reminders:

Quality Over Speed:

Efficiency isn’t just about speed; it’s also about quality. When interacting with people, prioritize understanding, empathy, and meaningful communication over rushing through tasks.

Invest Time in Relationships:

Unlike tasks, relationships require investment. Take the time to understand colleagues, team members, and stakeholders.
Have you ever regretted getting the whole story from a colleague before working on a project? Probably not. But cutting someone off prematurely can lead to wasted effort.

People vs. Tasks:

Tasks are transactional; you complete them and move on. But with people, it’s about building relationships.
Think of tasks like buying tools at a hardware store—you want the cheapest one to do the job. But investing in people is like playing the stock market; consistent returns come from understanding and patience.

Slow Down to Get It Right:

Dr. Covey wisely said, “With people, slow is fast and fast is slow.” Genuine relationships require us to slow down, even when external pressures demand speed.
Effective leadership involves taking the time to understand, communicate, and build trust.

So, leaders, remember: Slowing down with people is an investment that pays off in the long run.

Our friends at Growth Catalyst shared stories about leaders in the parking lot, while the team was still in the building and at the desk.

A similar analogy could be the Leader who is down the road, around the corner, and in a different jurisdiction because they run so fast and far yet, forget to hold up and wait for the team. It’s common.

If you are a Leader who feels:

No one listens.
You aren’t getting the respect you expect.
You don’t see results or actions.
You need to get buy-in.
No one responds quickly enough.
No one gets things done with urgency.
You are the only one with any ideas.

It might be an opportunity to look at yourself.

Do you need to slow down and invest in relationships?
Do you have an idea monster attitude and throw new ones out constantly, but don’t execute or outline the steps or timeline?
Do you change your mind so frequently that the best way to handle your chaos is for staff to embrace the “This Too Will Pass.” response to your asks?

There are numerous ways Leaders can slow down or be a bit more inefficient and find themselves more effective with a stronger team. It’s ironic and not logical, but it’s familiar.