Productivity Resolutions for 2018

A CEO’s role comprises many big-picture responsibilities not easily crossed off a to-do list. Some ways to think about productivity in the top job:

View delegation in terms of employee development

The most important productivity booster is delegating. But don’t just shove things off your plate; rather, consider how bestowing specific new challenges helps employees along their career paths.

Be the master of no

Be choosier in accepting invitations and requests to participate in projects. Require inviters to explain why your presence will make a difference.

Conduct periodic employee and customer satisfaction surveys

Think about productivity in terms of what you should be doing to get the best possible responses from your most important constituents. If they are happy, then you are likely expending your energies wisely.

Get comfortable with the long term

Sure, today matters. But you should be just as focused on what your company needs to do this year—and how you will get it there.

Help employees get productive

Push down decision making, or limit meetings and attendees. Host an occasional brownbag lunch to discuss tools and tactics.