A C-Suite task list is a balance between strategic work, tactical work and personal development. Studies show at the C-Suite level the balance should be 70/20/10, but depending on the season it can vary. High performers love tactical work. The quick wins of putting out fires and completing tasks can easily throw the schedule off balance. When you stay consistently in the tactical work and never return back to the steady state of 70% working on the future, things get off track.
I used to get stuck in the tactical, but soon learned I lacked skills in prioritization, decision logic and how to not procrastinate on strategic projects; breaking them down into bite size chunks. That’s where leaders fail as did I, but now I have some tips to help you stay in this zone.
Before I continue, ask yourself:
- Why don’t you stay in the zone of 70/20/10?
- Is it easy to check the box on tactical work and you lack the skills for strategic work?
- I also ask you if you’re up to the C-Suite role or not?
If you like the tactical work and find your value in being a SME and go to person, then accept your place and be fine with it. We sometimes think we need to do more, but if where you’re at is just fine, then you can stop here. But if not, let’s talk more about the secrets of the CEO task list.
Framework:
- It’s not a task list, it’s your performance management system! We set up these systems for the front line, but why not you? It sounds like leader standard work from the lean world and it is, but I’m breaking it down for you to make it easy.
- Qualify the 5-8 Projects you have to move forward or continue to monitor. Qualifying them will help you to stay focused and strive for 70% strategic, 20% tactical, and 10% personal development
- It has to be achievable. Set your battle plan for the day or I suggest the week. We don’t get everything done each day, giving ourselves grace, but by the end of the week, we should get it done.
- Put everything you get done on the list. Disruptions happen for which we address, but never credit ourselves for crossing it off. We have to see what we actually get done in a day and give ourselves a high five when we get 80% done!
- Cross it off and feel good. When you get to the end of the week, ask yourself if you feel accomplished and did you move the needle in your strategic work? If yes, celebrate. If not, do you have the right things on your list? It’s a constant reminder to evolve your daily / weekly plan and get it right.
- Reminder: As you look at your next week and assess how much you were able to accomplish the prior week, do you need to have every meeting, do you need to do everything on the list or delegate it? You want to increase your % of success each week so you’re performing at the C-Suite level.
On a personal note, so many people ask how do you do it all? I don’t always get it all done for which I’ve raised the white flag for help. More importantly, I’ve stopped, reassessed and peeled things away or reset my priorities. No C-Suite leader has all the answers nor is it perfect. But they’re resilient, they experiment, they learn from what worked well and what did not, refine rinse & repeat.
I would love to continue this conversation with you via DM. It’s really me on the other side of that screen, no bots, no gimmicks. Message me your questions and I can send you a short voice message with my thoughts.
· Thank you and much success!