CISO Malcolm Portelli on why leaders should stop feeling guilty about incomplete tasks

If you’re reading this with 17 browser tabs open, welcome to the club. In a recent LinkedIn post, Malcolm Portelli, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Andaria Financial Services, shone a light on a modern workplace struggle that’s become all too familiar – the overwhelming pile of tasks waiting behind an avalanche of open tabs and unread emails.

He jokingly referred to it as “that horrible word used to describe the mountain of work waiting for you behind the 1 million browser tabs you currently have open.” But while the tone was light-hearted, the message carries weight: Not everything on your list will get done – and that’s okay.

“There are some tasks you will never get to as the list builds and builds,” Mr Portelli wrote. “Don’t beat yourself up because you can’t get to every single task on your list. This is a hard pill to swallow for me sometimes, but it’s important to remember that we’re all human and time is not endless (unless you’re a vampire).”

For senior leaders and CEOs, this message is a timely reminder. The pressure to be across everything – from high-level strategy to the tiniest of operational details – can result in cognitive overload. Add to that the false sense of productivity that comes with being constantly online, and you have a recipe for burnout.

Yet, studies consistently show that stepping away from the noise – even for a short period – can increase overall productivity and decision-making quality. As he points out, “prioritisation and time management are vital, but it’s also important to take a step back and give your brain a break.”

This notion might seem counterintuitive, especially in performance-driven environments. However, the benefits of micro-breaks, mindful pauses, and even short walks during the day are increasingly being recognised not just as wellness tools, but as performance enhancers.

The truth is, the to-do list of any C-suite executive is never-ending. For many, there’s a constant sense that something’s been left undone. But instead of viewing this as a failure, it may help to reframe it: not everything needs to be done – at least not by you.

In an age where hustle culture is slowly giving way to a more sustainable approach to leadership, Malcolm’s reflection is both refreshing and relevant. It encourages CEOs to shift their mindset from guilt to grace – to understand that being strategic with your energy is just as important as being efficient with your time.

So the next time you find yourself staring at a screen full of open tabs and unchecked tasks, take a deep breath, close a few windows (both literal and mental), and remember – your value doesn’t lie in how many tasks you complete, but in the impact of the ones you prioritise.