The ability to be a leader at work starts with your calendar. It’s advice I have given to several of my coachees as pushback to their excuses about not having time to do the things those in supervisory roles should do.
In my experience, a key to success is controlling your calendar. YOU put your priorities on there first — everything from board meetings to 1:1s with staff. YOU block out the time you know you will need for administrative functions: prep time for big meetings/events, catchup time after being gone for conferences or PTO, and time to think. You claim vacation and R&R time while the future months have free blocks for it. If a standing meeting typically goes long, be realistic and block out that “long” time instead of getting behind.
If you allow it, your calendar will be cluttered with non-essential meetings instead of time for strategy. Your calendar drives your day so YOU sit in the driver’s seat before ceding control of it to others who see open slots on your calendar and fill them.
Vigorously and intentionally own your calendar in ways that allow you time to lead.
