Be as efficient as you can: 4 ways business leaders can boost their productivity

Productivity is one of the most – if not the most – crucial aspects of business, yet it is also one of the toughest to get right.

This is especially the case for business leaders, who are constantly working to balance the moving parts of their business, such as strategy, logistics, and employee relations, with family and other outside commitments. As a result, grasping new ways through which one could improve their productivity is integral.

Therefore, here are four ways how business leaders can improve their productivity to become more organised and tackle everything that comes up on their burgeoning to-do lists.

1. Form a to-do list that fits your needs

Creating a to-do list allows business leaders to sketch out their priorities and closely focus on each of their commitments.

The most integral part of this is to include subcategories, such as items that are important or time-sensitive, ones that are important yet not as urgent, and others that need to be done but do not have to be completed in the immediate future.

Categorisation of to-do lists goes a long way in terms of helping business leaders plan out their day and highlight which items to prioritise.

2. Schedule individual 15-minute meetings rather than group ones

Meetings are crucial for businesses to discuss various matters, yet having long meetings involving various employees can result in a lack of productivity, especially if there are conflicts in personalities and ideas.

Therefore, scheduling shorter meetings – maybe 15-minute ones – can help business leaders understand each person’s ideas on the matter even better, while also not giving that particular function or department a complete halt (even if for a temporary period of time).

Additionally, having as detailed an agenda as possible, or sending clear and well-organised emails outlining information and tasks to be delegated, can make meetings easier to hold, and on some occasions even eliminate them completely.

3. Avoid micromanaging

Business leaders might initially be inclined to oversee everything and avoid delegating tasks, yet overcoming this and putting faith in their employees is an important step towards improving their productivity.

This will allow the leaders to focus on their own matters, not having to work on something which their colleagues might be better suited to tackle.

As a result, rather than constantly contacting them for updates, business leaders need to talk to their employees to see the preferred way to operate. Are weekly or bi-weekly check-ins needed? Do they want less meetings to be more autonomous? Are meetings helpful in streamlining their work? Listening to them to learn how they work best will determine the ideal ways to support them, also freeing up time to work on other tasks.

4. Steer clear of using your phone when possible

A phone can be as much of a distraction as it is a tool, especially during a hectic workday.

Business leaders should opt for in-person work meetings when possible to avoid having to constantly be on their phones and getting distracted by other notifications that come up before or after such meetings. Additionally, they can also opt to leave their phones locked away for a few hours, or else muting their notifications while working to ensure that they are focusing on the matter at hand.

This is also the case after working hours, as getting some well-needed rest after a day’s work is a must. Being flooded with messages and calls at a time when one is supposed to be relaxing and unwinding will not be beneficial whatsoever, and will only result in them being more lethargic and stressed when they eventually have to go to work.