Sometimes it feels like we have so much to do, so many little fires to put out, so many tasks to accomplish in so little time that we forget we are running around with scissors. Although this may not be literally speaking, the fact is that running with scissors, at least as my mom always told me, was dangerous.
Instead of running around with scissors in your hand, pass them off to someone that should actually be doing the trimming. You see, when you’re doing the job that other people were suppose to do, you’re wasting your time as well as theirs. When you do other people’s jobs you are actually making your organization worse.
Your job as a leader is to ask tough questions and challenge the scope of your job and the jobs of those around you.
Don’t confuse activities with accomplishments.
Now put down the scissors.
Art Horne is the Coordinator of Care and Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Men’s Basketball Team at Northeastern University, Boston MA. He can be reached at a.horne@neu.edu.
