How to Coach Yourself and Others From Dependency to Inter Dependency | Page 13
Evolution of time management
1st generation: based on notes, check-lists, to-do lists: Reactive
2nd generation: based on calendars, appointment books, planning: Pro-active – looking ahead!
3rd generation: adds prioritization + setting short-term, intermediate and long-term targets in harmony
with values, goals and targets, but too much emphasis on daily planning
4th generation: time management is in fact a misnomer. We cannot manage time, but must manage
ourselves! Expectations and satisfaction lie in our circle of influence; hence we must focus on
preserving and enhancing relationships and on accomplishing results.
Habit one says: you are the programmer
Habit two says: write the program
Habit three says: run the program
Delegation
We accomplish all we do through delegation: either to personal time, or to people.
If we delegate to time, we think efficiency.
If we delegate to other people, we think effectiveness.
Effectively delegating to others is perhaps the single most powerful high-leverage activity there is.
It is the key to effective management.
Two kinds of delegation
A/ GOFER DELEGATION: “go for this, go for that, do this, do that, … and tell me when it’s done”
Does not make other persons committed to achieve results
Limits the number of people one can supervise
B/ STEWARDSHIP DELEGATION:
Is focussed on results instead of methods. Gives people a choice of method and makes them responsible
for results. Takes more time in the beginning, but it’s time well invested.
Stewardship Delegation involves understanding and commitment regarding expectations in 5 areas:
1. Desired results: Have them see it, describe it and make a quality statement
2. Guidelines: Point out potential failure paths. Tell what NOT to do.
3. Resources: Identify the human, technical, financial and organizational resources
that can be drawn on to accomplish the job
4. Accountability: Set up the standards of performance that will be used for evaluation
and the specific times when reporting and evaluation will take place.
5. Consequences: Specify what will happen, both good and bad, as a result of the evaluation.
Trust is the highest form of human motivation, but it takes time and patience and does not preclude the
necessity of training and development.