Most Executives (probably all) claim and complain that they are as busy as never before and these days, with remote work as part of the new normal, it’s even worse with most of them at the brink of burnout as I read through many posts and articles…maybe.
I do believe, though, many Executives are having lots of “free time” in the sense of valleys of work with low intensity for many reasons: their teams are doing the actual work, or they have already dominated the area and became efficient at doing their job, or because remote/virtual work is efficient and also difficult to measure or because some reorganization is going on and there is uncertainty and chaos and it’s better to stay idle on a wait & see mode until something happens or someone comes to fix the company; the list of reasons could go on and on. This is not new. It was the same before the pandemic, but I believe now has emerged to the surface and has become more evident.
Where has the time spent on the canteen, corridors and meeting rooms complaining about other functions, colleagues or the leadership of the company has gone now that people work remotely? For sure companies have become more efficient in theory but my sense is that people are using the free time, now released, to focus on other routines and habits other than work. You can see this on a weekday with the number of people riding bikes, running, being at restaurants or just through the increase of Netflix and social media use among many other metrics that illustrate this picture.
Many Executives have discovered now how long a day actually is and that there is life outside of work. This is not necessarily bad from a personal point of view, in fact it’s great, but defocusing from your professional course has consequences and it’s better to be aware and walk in with your eyes open. You might not notice anything on the short-term, but this catches up with your professional performance as time goes by.
In any case, the point is that being idle in your role must be avoided at all costs regardless of the hierarchical level. It is always better and healthier to volunteer for leading workstreams of strategic initiatives or taking on more responsibilities or at least training yourself to acquire new skills that could come handy in the future. By doing so you ensure you keep momentum and rhythm going. It’s not all work and no play but the good old balance should remain in place to ensure you make progress on your professional career; if you wish to do so, of course.
As Executives become idle, they tend to develop bad working routines and habits that unfailingly lead to unfitness to lead, to manage and to work. Laziness installs, as it happens when athletes stop training; you became unfit, with lack of energy and drive and reigniting the engine is hard work, not impossible, but retaking your mojo could feel like quitting drugs cold turkey.
If you feel I can help you navigate these changes do not hesitate to drop me a line at gabsmorelli@gmail.com or visit www.gabrielmorelli.com
