How structure and routine can make you a better leader
My whole life, I have fought the pressure to develop a true structure and routine. It felt stifling to have to do things the same way or at the same time over and over again. I struggle with structure and routine so much that I regularly change the order of my morning routine so it doesn’t feel so dull given the alarm goes off at the same time every day.
But when I realized that certain structures and routines could help get my team all moving in the same direction and focused on the right activities, I realized the benefits that can come with a predictable schedule. It was no longer about me structuring my daily activities and prioritizing how I spend my time. It was about providing leadership to others. I was inspired to put structures in place to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and to help with accountability across the organization.
Here are three routines I established that changed my entire perspective. I hope they’re as useful for you as they have been for me.
1. Hold regular team meetings
I find that if you commit to holding regular team meetings, you’ll be free the rest of the time to focus on the most important activities. We all know that we need to have regular meetings so that team members can stay connected and updated on what is being accomplished. I suggest dedicating one day a week to internal team meetings — Monday mornings work for me. While it might seem like this makes for a very unproductive day, it also sets you up for a successful week.
In the meeting, get updates on all priorities, and determine your focus for the week. That way, you can use the remaining four days for projects or meeting with prospects. In my experience, operating with this structure is a great way to free yourself from worrying about where important initiatives stand.
2. Write meeting agendas — and stick to them
I’ve found that establishing agendas for recurring meetings increases the value of the meetings. While I have always been a fan of agendas for the purpose of keeping things on schedule, I didn’t appreciate the impact of having a set structure for regular meetings.
As soon as I implemented this, I saw two things happen. The first was that preparation was easier. Everyone involved knew what would be covered, and I could pull together the necessary information when I had time or access to data versus scrambling at the last minute.
Second, the conversation got richer. The agenda ensured that I knew what to hold people accountable for and what the outcome of the meeting needed to be. As a result, discussions went deeper, and we got more accomplished in a shorter amount of time.
3. Protect dedicated ‘you’ time
Ensuring that you have dedicated time for yourself can help you think freely and clear your head. When you’re balancing a lot of tasks between work and home, it can be tough to think creatively. Try setting an alarm for early in the morning, before other people are awake, to spend time exercising or just alone with your thoughts. I know that it can be brutal for the alarm to go off so early and at the same time every day. But I’ve found that it doesn’t take long before you begin to appreciate even 45 minutes in which no one can make requests of you. By blocking this time out and making the commitment to being alone and taking care of yourself, you will likely find that you’re better equipped to face the day. I’ve even found that I now look forward to the time to work through issues or brainstorm ideas (but not the alarm going off).
While these three structures may seem obvious and easy to many, for someone who fights structure and routine, all three have been big battles. I still avoid routine whenever possible and will continue to take different routes to drop my daughter off at school. But I will no longer blow off ideas for routine that could free me to do more creative or open thinking. If you feel the same way, give these simple structures a try.
**Originally published on Puget Sound Business Journal, January 2020