We owe much of modern computing, not only in terms of microscopic processor size, but in terms of how they are programmed and operated, to a single device. The machine was built half a century ago for the specific purpose of navigating in space: the Apollo Guidance Computer, or AGC. Developed by MIT for NASA’s lunar program, the AGC was the first computer to use microprocessors instead of vacuum tubes. It was the first to have a keyboard for input. It was the first computer to allow interrupts—every time you touch your modern smart phone and ask it to do something, that’s an interrupt. And most importantly, it was the first computer capable of doing more than one thing at the same time.[1]
This last trick, though, was a bit of electronic slight-of-hand. The AGC could look at several guidance objectives in quick succession, and then decide which was most important. But the AGC was extremely limited in its capacity, and easily overloaded. In fact, if you listen to the audio of Neil Armstrong taking the Apollo 11 Eagle lander to the moon’s surface, you’ll hear the AGC issue an alarm while trying to process multiple computations as the craft descended. Armstrong radios, “1201 Alarm,” during the descent, indicating the computer did not have enough free memory to think about all the tasks it was being given.[2]Even today’s smartest and fastest computers are basically bouncing between tasks very quickly, versus actually thinking about two things at once.
The Apollo Guidance Computer shrunk a room-sized processor to the dimensions of a briefcase, as it was the first to use microprocessors. Photo: NASA
One trait we often look for in leaders is the ability to multitask. Smart, capable leaders can handle multiple tasks, priorities and decisions at once, right? No, actually, that’s wrong. Just like the AGC, there is a limit to the number of things any person, including leaders, can process at once. Research shows that, at most, a person can concentrate on no more than two things at once. And when it comes to decision making, just one single choice can be processed by the mind at a time.[3] The reality is that the mind is best at focusing on one problem, issue, decision, priority, at a time.
The human mind’s architecture of singular focus doesn’t mean we cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. The mind has many autonomic functions that we don’t have to think about. You can lead a board meeting without having the constant thought, “Is my heart beating correctly right now?” But it does mean we should question whether we can have the laptop out at the pool on vacation and be effectively working and spending time with our family simultaneously.
Sometimes leaders will take pride in the number of things they can juggle at once. Business priorities, family, spiritual activity and development, personal health—look at how many plates we’re spinning! We allow the busy-ness of life and work to bring us a sense of importance and accomplishment. We’ll tell ourselves, “I’m the only one who can do all of these things, because my experience and skill and capacity allows me to.” The Bible’s instruction to leaders is directed instead to focus—setting the mind to one important thing or task at a time. Further, the Bible also indicates that spiritual matters should take priority in our daily schedules:
“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” Proverbs 4:25
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3
Often, faith-centered leaders assume that the enemy (satan) is actively working to take away opportunities and commitments from us. Could it be, though, that satan is actually filling the plates of faith-centered leaders to make them less effective? A hectic, busy leader, whose commitments are so numerous that his thoughts, allegiances and resources are divided—how much can he do for the Kingdom? An overfull schedule and too many responsibilities and priorities may not indicate your leadership capacity. Instead, you may have accepted the lie of busy-ness as a false indicator of your true effectiveness.
What is the answer to overcommitment and multitasking? Can a faith-centered leader instead focus on those things that are most important so that he is not busy, and his mind is engaged on his greatest priorities, one at a time? The Bible reminds us that we can call on God to give us insight into our focus for life and work. Proverbs 2:2-5 says, “Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” The answer to busy-ness is the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God found in the Scriptures. The Bible teaches leaders:
Focus on one thing at a time (“Set your eyes ahead…”).
Make God your highest priority (“But seek first the kingdom of God…”).
Make people your next highest priority (“Whatever is true, right, just, lovely…”).
Until the Apollo Guidance Computer was developed, computers filled entire rooms, were programmed by punch cards, and solved just one problem at a time. Keyboards and displays, interrupts, multiple programs and adaptable memory, microprocessors, modern software engineering—the AGC brought about most of what we consider to be computing today. Every computer you own, from your laptop to your smartphone to your watch, has elements of the Apollo Guidance Computer at its core.
Before the Apollo Guidance Computer, or AGC, no computer could multitask. Photo: NASA
Interestingly at present, computing is mostly concerned with AI, artificial intelligence. As we develop AI, we’re now trying to teach computers not how to multitask, but rather the idea of perception—how to determine and focus on what is most important, and interact through social norms with people.[4] Improvisation, body language, adaptability, planning, evolving—these are all aspects of the human mind’s ability to concentrate and engage. The computer, as with the leader, will become more effective as it learns how to be less busy.
One trait we often look for in leaders is the ability to multitask. Smart, capable leaders can handle multiple tasks, priorities and decisions at once, right? No, actually, that’s wrong. There is a limit to the number of things any leaders can process at once.