Management Tip of the Day: Stop Chasing Too Many Priorities

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 30, 2011 Stop Chasing Too Many Priorities Overloaded and overwhelmed is the norm these days. Most leaders feel they have too many conflicting priorities. But research has shown that the more these executives have to do, the less their company earns. In fact, high-performing companies have leaders who focus on high-priority initiatives, not everything under the sun. Stop asking: How can I find more opportunities? Instead try: How can I focus on opportunities that will help my company excel? Know what you are best at—the capabilities you have that others don't—and focus where you can succeed. Learn to say no when things seem appealing and even lucrative, but do not offer you a real chance to win. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Stop Chasing Too Many Priorities" by Paul Leinwand and Cesare Mainardi. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Improving Productivity: A Harvard ManageMentor Skill Pack Harvard ManageMentor This interactive, online skill pack includes tips, tools, and tactical advice on four essential management topics to help you get the most out of your time and your team. The four topics are Delegating, Project Management, Meeting Management, and Time Management. Save more than 35% off the individual component modules when you purchase this specially-priced set. One-year single user license. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Make Communication About Them, Not You 3 Tips for Leading People Older Than You Do a Project Premortem to Avoid a Postmortem 3 Ways to Get What You Need from Design Praise as Much as You Criticize 3 Tips for Responding to Failure Do What Only You Can Do Know the 6 Steps in Cost/Benefit Analysis You Can Prevent Silo Thinking Use Constraint to Instigate Innovation 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)