Leaders are often excessively busy, but good leadership isn’t about doing everything all at once—it’s about allocating your time optimally. Here’s a four-step process to lighten your load and make a bigger impact.

Eliminate some tasks. Start by shedding responsibilities that others can do just as well as you can (or better). Challenge the assumption that you have to keep doing things just because you’ve always been doing them.

Delegate some tasks. For tasks where your skill is above average but not unique, trust others to step in. Delegation isn’t shirking responsibility—it’s creating space for your team to learn and thrive and for you to lead more effectively.

Take on some new tasks. Reinvest your freed-up time into areas where you have a distinctive advantage or ability. Focus on initiatives that only you can drive forward, especially those that can make a real difference in your organization’s performance.

Reserve time for irreplaceable work. Every leader has tasks that no one else can do. Whether it’s mentoring your team, shaping the organization’s vision, or building strategic partnerships, ensure you set aside the time you need to fulfill these critical duties.
This tip is adapted from “Leaders Shouldn’t Try to Do It All,” by A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin.
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