As you rise in your career, there are several executive behaviors that are crucial for long-term success, but they are not often taught in formal training or business schools. These behaviors are fundamental to effective leadership, decision-making, and team management. By mastering them, you can differentiate yourself and drive significant results. In this article, we will explore 7 key executive behaviors that all leaders should learn and practice for success.
1. Effectiveness > Efficiency
One of the most important lessons for executives is that effectiveness is more important than efficiency. Being efficient—completing tasks quickly—is important, but it’s far less valuable than making sure you're working on the right tasks. Focusing on the wrong things efficiently can still lead to failure, while working on the right tasks leads to meaningful results.
Why It’s Important:
In leadership, it's essential to prioritize impact over the mere act of doing things quickly. Efficiency without effectiveness means you’re working hard on things that don't move the needle.
How to Implement:
- Prioritize tasks: Focus on the activities that have the most significant impact.
- Review your goals: Regularly reassess the tasks you’re working on to ensure they align with your larger goals.
- Delegate: Don’t get bogged down with tasks that can be handled by others.
2. Time Management
Time is one of the most precious resources for executives. Without dedicated time to think and plan, leaders often find themselves in reactive mode, dealing with the day’s immediate problems rather than focusing on strategic thinking.
Why It’s Important:
Effective time management allows you to make progress on long-term goals. Creating blocks of time for focused work leads to deeper problem-solving and better decision-making.
How to Implement:
- Create focus blocks: Schedule uninterrupted time (90-minute blocks) for deep work and critical thinking.
- Avoid multitasking: Focus on one task at a time to improve efficiency and the quality of work.
- Prioritize reflection: Regularly make time for thinking through important decisions or strategy changes.
3. Trust Formula (Say-Do-Show)
Building trust is essential for any leader. The Trust Formula involves three steps: Say you'll do something, Do it, and then Show you've done it. Trust is earned through actions, not words.
Why It’s Important:
Trust is the foundation of strong relationships in any organization. When you consistently follow through on your commitments, people believe in your leadership and your ability to deliver.
How to Implement:
- Set clear expectations: Clearly communicate what you will deliver and when.
- Follow through: Ensure that you meet or exceed your commitments.
- Show results: Demonstrate your achievements through regular updates and progress reports.
4. Ruthless Prioritization
Effective leaders understand the importance of prioritization. The 80/20 rule—or Pareto Principle—states that 20% of activities produce 80% of results. Executives need to identify which tasks will have the greatest impact on their organization or project.
Why It’s Important:
By focusing on high-return activities, leaders can maximize their efforts and avoid wasting time on tasks that don’t contribute significantly to their goals.
How to Implement:
- Identify critical tasks: Identify the 20% of activities that will provide the most value.
- Delegate or eliminate: Delegate or eliminate tasks that don’t contribute to strategic goals.
- Reassess regularly: Frequently assess which tasks are producing the most value and adjust priorities as needed.
5. Think-Plan-Act (In That Order)
Many professionals jump straight into action, skipping the crucial step of thinking and planning. However, the most successful executives know that taking the time to think and plan ensures better results.
Why It’s Important:
Strategic thinking and planning create a clear roadmap for execution. Without a plan, execution can be unfocused and ineffective.
How to Implement:
- Make time for reflection: Set aside time to think through challenges and potential solutions.
- Create a strategic plan: Outline clear steps and timelines for achieving your objectives.
- Act with confidence: Execute your plan with clear focus and confidence, adjusting only when necessary.
6. Avoid "Management Debt"
Much like technical debt, management debt accumulates when important leadership tasks—such as one-on-ones, feedback sessions, and addressing employee concerns—are neglected. Over time, these unaddressed issues can create bigger problems that are harder to fix.
Why It’s Important:
Neglecting essential leadership responsibilities leads to disengaged employees, miscommunication, and overall inefficiency. Proactively addressing these issues ensures smooth operations and fosters positive team dynamics.
How to Implement:
- Schedule regular 1:1s: Make time to meet with your team individually to understand their challenges and offer support.
- Provide feedback regularly: Give constructive feedback often to guide improvement and reinforce positive behavior.
- Address issues early: Don’t let small problems grow into larger, harder-to-solve issues.
7. Decision-Making
Effective leaders are decisive. Executives often face critical decisions, and it’s essential to understand that the key to success is not avoiding decisions but making them confidently. Often, it’s better to act decisively than to delay or hesitate.
Why It’s Important:
Inaction or indecision can result in missed opportunities, while making timely decisions keeps the organization moving forward. Executives must learn to choose between acting decisively or deliberately choosing not to act.
How to Implement:
- Act decisively: Make decisions swiftly and confidently, based on the best available information.
- Don’t fear mistakes: Understand that wrong decisions can be corrected, but indecision leads to stagnation.
- Use data and intuition: Combine both data-driven insights and your own experience to make well-rounded decisions.
Conclusion: Mastering Executive Behaviors for Success
The habits and behaviors that make successful executives go beyond mere technical skills. By focusing on effectiveness over efficiency, time management, building trust, and decisive decision-making, you can elevate your leadership capabilities. Avoiding management debt, practicing ruthless prioritization, and using the Think-Plan-Act approach will ensure that your actions are aligned with the organization’s goals. Embrace these executive behaviors, and you will drive better results and build a lasting impact in your career.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I improve my decision-making skills?
To improve decision-making, practice gathering as much relevant data as possible, trust your intuition, and don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Use feedback to learn and adjust as needed.
2. What is management debt and how can I avoid it?
Management debt accumulates when regular leadership tasks (e.g., feedback, one-on-ones) are neglected. Avoid this by scheduling regular check-ins and addressing small issues before they become big problems.
3. Why is prioritization so important for executives?
Prioritization helps executives focus on the tasks that will have the greatest impact. By applying the 80/20 rule, you can ensure that your time and energy are spent on activities that drive results.
