I have spent over 16 years studying more than 30,000 leaders from interviews at my own executive search firm, focusing on the leadership strategies that boost the exemplary candidates above the rest.
Analyzing the data, I’ve broken down the twelve most important traits that separate these rare candidates or “unicorns” from the rest in their applicant pool. Traits include the fast, the authentic, the agile, the solver, the anticipator, the prepared, the self-aware, the curious, the connected, the likable, the productive, and the purpose-driven.
I’m going to dive deeper into one of the most coveted strength categories in a world full of distractions, being productive. Only 5.72% out of the thousands of respondents to our survey identified as prominently productive. What can we learn from the leaders in this trait?
First: That there’s a difference between productive and busy, and productive people are well aware of it. A productive person is someone who gets things done efficiently and effectively. They are able to use their time and resources wisely to achieve their goals.They also usually have their own system or productivity hacks, honed and perfected over a lifetime of trial and error.
Productive unicorns:
- Have figured out how they work best to maximize productivity
- Set daily, achievable goals plus long-term stretch goals
- Get frustrated with people who don’t work as quickly and effectively as they do
- Prefer to work alone rather than in teams
- Have been described as a “rock star” or “Superman/Wonder Woman” by their boss
Let’s go over some common challenges to productivity. Are you addicted to your phone? Screen time and social media can be major time sucks. Challenge yourself to go increasingly longer periods of time where you’re not on your phone. If you need an accountability partner, I guarantee your kids would be glad to separate you from your phone. No kids? Put time limits on your apps.
Another one of my favorite “productivity hacks” has to do with eliminating that kind of productivity-killing to-do list. It’s actually more than a hundred years old. A gentleman by the name of Ivy Lee designed a method to maximize productivity for Charles Schwab’s executive team by helping them focus on less in order to do more. It’s simple and it works.
The Ivy Lee Method starts with writing down the six most important things you need to do today. Then you order the list so you’re working from top to bottom–some people like to start with the tasks that take the least amount of time, others start with the biggest undertakings. Next, work through the list, crossing out the tasks as you do them. And then repeat the process the next day.
Another to-do list option that involves a bit more chaos but can still be effective can involve listing all the things you need to get done by areas of our life. For example, “to-do for work, to-do for home, to-do for me.”
Many individuals have their own preferred system of to-do lists and productivity strategies. Whether you use apps, email reminders, pen and paper–it doesn’t matter how you do it. The important thing is that you do it regularly.
Now that we have gone through some tactical ways to overcome challenges, let’s look at rewards as possible incentives. There are those who argue that “li’l treat” culture has gone too far. But if an iced coffee afterward is the incentive you need to get the job done, I’m all for it. Take some time to identify what helps you stay motivated when working. It might not be a treat, it could just be the dopamine rush you get when crossing something off the to-do list or the feeling of satisfaction you get after a job well done.
I would argue that productivity is one of the hardest traits to learn if you’re not naturally good at it. But I have faith that anyone can improve. Let’s put some of the strategies we have discussed into practice. Break down your big tasks into smaller, bite-sized tasks. Know your distractions and how to avoid them. Stop multitasking and focus on one thing at a time. If you can outsource it, do so.
Another reason why productivity is so important? Productivity can be tracked, and every manager knows that what gets measured gets done, and it makes the whole team look good.
Developing daily achievable goals as well as long-term goals can set you up for success for tackling the day and making progress in career benchmarks. Make sure you are working on your own terms to maximize what you can get done. And lastly, be mindful of everyone else’s productivity time by keeping meetings on task and short. Everyone loves a focused agenda.
Tracking your own productivity will help you stay accountable, illustrate what methods work best for you, and provide a nice metric for your year-end review.
Together these tips will help build productivity and your own reputation as a high-value member of the team.
Taken from Be the Unicorn by William Vanderbloemen. Copyright © 2023 by William Vanderbloemen. Adapted from the Be the Unicorn Workbook by William Vanderbloemen. Copyright © 2024 by William Vanderbloemen. Used by permission of William Vanderbloemen.
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