The Barbell Approach to CEO Time Management – Mark MacLeod

July 16, 2020 - Mark MacLeod

The Barbell Approach to CEO Time Management

I don’t envy CEO’s schedules. They serve many stakeholders, all of whom want or need something from them. Without strict focus and prioritization, you end up being an inch thick and a mile wide trying to stay on top of everything going on in your business.

When I see some CEOs calendars, it’s just meeting after meeting after meeting. As I have written about before, this madness is often self-imposed because CEOs are not operating at the right altitude. They are too deep in the weeds.

I’d like to propose a simple framework for how CEOs can think about time allocation: The barbell.

A barbell has weights on either end. This is how CEOs should allocate their time. On any given project, say a new product release, a rebranding, creating a culture manual, etc. the CEO can add the most value by being involved at the beginning and end of the project.

Upfront, the CEO can help establish success for the project. What are you trying to achieve? How does this project align with the overall vision and mission?

As the project comes to a close, the CEO should be the final seal of approval. Did the project achieve the success criteria? Does it align with vision and mission?

In between, while the heavy lifting is happening, the CEO should be uninvolved. If the CEO feels the need to step in, then either she has the wrong team on the project or doesn’t trust them or doesn’t have the discipline to stay out of the way. All signs of a company that is on a good, but not great trajectory. Greatness happens when you have amazing, autonomous people, point them in a direction and get out of their way!

Try this on your next projects and see the impact it has on your time and your team’s autonomy and performance.

Questions to consider

What is my current involvement on key comany projects? I am only involved at the beginning and end or am I involved throughout?

If throughout, what is that telling me about my leadership style?

Do I really need to be involved?

If so, what does that tell me about the strength of my key leaders?

Your journey is never done

Sign up to my newsletter and join an inspired community of leaders who realize that the journey to achieving their full potential is never done.

    If you’re curious about my coaching and deal work you can learn more here.

    back to blog

    Latest Blog Feed

    The case for not deferring happiness

    When is the last time you were truly “happy”? When was the last time you experienced real “joy”? I asked one of my CEOs this recently. He talked about the day he got married and when his kids were born. […]

    read more

    When to borrow to grow your business

    I am often asked about when or if a company should take on debt to help grow their business. Here are my thoughts: Sources of Capital There are three source of capital to grow your business: Revenue – well, actually, […]

    read more

    How venture capital works

    Do you understand how VC funds work? If you want to raise VC, it’s important to know this. Here’s how they work: Let’s take a $100M fund, called Acme Ventures. $100M is pretty small for VC funds these days, but […]

    read more

    Contact

    Email : me@markmacleod.me

    Follow me:

    Mark MacLeod ICF Member

    Send Me A Message