What separates a hard-working middle manager from the most influential leaders? Harvard Business Review analyzed the typical days of leading CEOs, breaking each 24-hour period into 15 minute increments, and measuring how to spent each period. The study revealed that “Where and how CEOs are involved determines what gets done. It signals priorities.”[1] The study revealed that key leaders are “always on”, working an average of 62.5 hours a week. Why? Because leadership means leading everyone. Michael E. Porter writes, “As much as CEOs rely on delegation, they can’t hand off everything. They have to spend at least some time with each constituency in order to provide direction, create alignment, win support, and gather the information needed to make good decisions.”
Ephesians 5:15-17 echoes a leader’s wisdom in how they spend their time: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” There is great wisdom in the profitable use of time. For a leader, this takes a certain amount of discipline, and a purposeful desire to use his days for positive and impactful tasks and relationships. How can a leader’s time glorify God through useful enterprise? Consider four uses of your own time:
Time thinking long-term. Wise leaders spend time setting goals, looking at overall strategy, and spend time “over the horizon”—gazing five to ten years out. Proverbs 19:16 says, “Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.” This doesn’t seem on the surface like a biblical call to think long-term. But it is, in that keeping God’s commands leads to life. This is a verse that focuses on activity—those who do with God commands. The word keeps here is specific. To keep the commands of God means to know and study them, to bear them in mind in decisions and direction, and to be obedient in every facet of life and work. This kind of living takes planning and dedication.
Long-term thinking is especially difficult in the fast-paced culture of today. Wise leaders are always looking over the horizon with each decision. The Covid-19 pandemic is a stark example of how unexpected circumstances can impact life and business. Does the Bible teach us to prepare for difficult circumstances. Consider the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. God revealed to him through a dream that there would be years of prosperity followed by years of famine. He used this information to prepare Egypt for the coming crisis. In keeping the commands of God, Joseph’s mind was attuned to what God wanted to do through him. Wise thinking led to wise actions.
Consider: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5
Time consuming information. Wise leaders read voraciously. Reading books has been proven to increase brain connectivity, increase vocabulary and comprehension, reduce stress, aid in sleep, lower blood pressure and heart rate and reduce cognitive decline as you age.[2] Healthline.com comments, “Brain scans showed that throughout the reading period and for days afterward, brain connectivity increased, especially in the somatosensory cortex, the part of the brain that responds to physical sensations like movement and pain.”
Harry S. Truman said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers. I love reading both because it’s enjoyable and it plays a critical role in helping me become a better leader.” In fact, while some people read 3-4 books per year, and 75% of Americans read at least one book each year, most leaders read at least 5 books per month, with c-suite leaders often consuming more than 60 books per year.[3] Business Insider’s Chris Weller writes, “Most successful people credit reading, in some capacity, as a factor in their success.”[4]
Consider: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5
Time investing in people. Wise leaders spend time with team members in order to develop them to their full potential. This has less to do with managing their day-to-day workload or decisions, but rather giving them opportunities to lead, to make bigger decisions, to manage others and to discuss their future and the company’s future.
Recruiter Jas Singh comments, “Great leaders realize the value of their team is the value of who they are. Investing in people is trying to help them grow and improve. As investments, people are an asset class that puts all these investments to shame. Something with an unlimited yield. Something that’s recession proof. And best of all, something that requires no multi-million bank account and that we can all invest in regardless of our age, race or financial situation. Just our time, effort and genuine intention to help.”[5]
Consider: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
Time communicating clearly. Wise leaders invest time in communication. Laura Landry writes for Harvard Business School Online, “Effective communication is vital to gain trust, align efforts in the pursuit of goals, and inspire positive change. When communication is lacking, important information can be misinterpreted, causing relationships to suffer and, ultimately, creating barriers that hinder progress.”[6]
Think about great leaders in history and you’ll often recall a speech or presentation they gave—something they communicated that was a cut above and had great value in terms of vision and inspiration. Good communication also builds trusting relationships. Martin Luenendonk comments for Cleverism, “Effective communication will help create relationships, which are built on mutual trust and understanding. Positive encounters create a connection, which empowers people in the team. When relationships are built on trust and the communication is open, the chances of a conflict diminish. People are able to communicate their problems before they turn into major issues.”
Consider: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6
[1] https://hbr.org/2018/07/how-ceos-manage-time
[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-reading-books
[3] https://readabilitymatters.org/articles/leaders-readers
[4] https://www.businessinsider.com/what-successful-people-read-2017-7
[5] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-great-leaders-invest-people-jas-singh/
[6] https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/leadership-communication
Have you ever seen a résumé skill, “I am easy to work with?” In our me-centric culture, what does it really mean for someone to claim they are easy to work with? What does this attitude look like, and does it matter?