Don’t Confuse Motion With Progress

Posted by Jim Connolly on 16 December, 2009  Email This Post -  Print This Post

“David, how’s it going?”, the seasoned leader asked his newest manager. 

“Wow, I’m swamped, but lovin’ it”, said David. 

“Tell me about what you’re working on,” the seasoned leader asked with a hint of where the conversation was going.  David reviewed his long list of activities for his boss.

“Can I make a suggestion David?”, asked the boss.

“Of course,” said David.

“Don’t confuse motion with progress,” the seasoned leader offered, recalling how he learned the same lesson some thirty years ago.  David looked at his list. 

“In light of that advice David, which items on your list are most important?”, asked the boss.

“These four items will help us make the most progress,” David offered excitedly knowing that he was learning an important lesson.

“Great, work on those,” David’s boss said with a smile as he looked at his watch and noticed that only six minutes had gone by.

Effective and results focused leadership in only six minutes?  Absolutely.  When we get busy, we all can get trapped by the to-do’s that pile up.  Make your to-do list, review it for which items will help you make the most progress and then focus on those things.

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