Management Tip of the Day: Do What Only You Can Do

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JUNE 21, 2011 Do What Only You Can Do The higher up you get in an organization, the more you need to focus on what the company needs from you, not on what you want to do. While management experts advise doing what you are best at, great leaders do those things that only they can do. Figure out what functions only you can perform. These may be tasks that are unique to your role, such as meeting with a key client or calling a top official. Or they may be strengths that the organization lacks, such as solid marketing skills. Gauge how you can be most useful and focus your time and effort there. Then delegate the rest. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Managing Yourself: Extreme Productivity" by Robert C. Pozen. Read the full article and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Shaping Your Career Harvard Business Review Press Book Your career is not a one-time decision made early in life. Rather, you refine or redefine it as you grow professionally. This volume helps you recognize when it's time for a change; articulate the business activities that interest you most deeply; assess your skills and values; and more. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Know the 6 Steps in Cost/Benefit Analysis You Can Prevent Silo Thinking Use Constraint to Instigate Innovation Prepare Your Speech, but Be Ready to Change It 3 Rules for Making Your Writing Clear Look Beyond the Financials Don't Mix Business with Pleasure Share a Hypothesis Instead of a Directive Treat Every Task as Three Steps, Not One 3 Rules for Choosing the Right IT Vendor BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Free HBR Interactive issue Download the iPad app HBR Reads, and get your issue with audio and video interviews and multimedia slideshows. Learn more » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2011 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)