The Mrs. and I were chatting this morning about priorities. Not ours, actually, but about how many folks have difficulty in distinguishing “I want” from “I need”. This time of year, especially if you have young ones around, you can get a great sense of that distinction, particularly if you go back and look at last year’s “I’ll die if I don’t get it” item. Probably in a closet somewhere gathering dust. Is business any different?
Not really, unfortunately. We all know every project can’t be a top priority – something has to top the list. Unless and until we have unlimited, capable resources (don’t hold your breath) something is going to have to wait. After all, the expression is ASAP – as soon as possible – with emphasis on “possible.” I think some folks forget that it’s not a synonym for “right now”.
One of the most important things we can do as managers is to set priorities and realistic deadlines for our team. How many times does the priority list seem as if it consists of one item – everything- and because of that nothing seems to get done?
I used to tell my team that while I may have worked for a few networks none of them were the Psychic Friends network – I don’t know what you don’t communicate. By the same logic, we can’t expect our folks to know what’s really critical as opposed to generally urgent as distinguished from it can wait unless we tell them. Their perspectives may not include enough information to allow them to choose on their own. Your perspective is probably incomplete, and your priority-setting may be faulty- if you don’t understand what’s going on with the team and resources.
My priority right now (I’m on a train) was to get you a post (so please forgive any typos and no links). What are yours?
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