Ep 27 - Do Constant Interruptions Erode Your Productivity?

I was recently chatting with a friend who I was working with a long time ago and that brought a ridiculous experience to mind that I had working for a leader who I generally admired and enjoyed work for.

The Context:

The two of us had the assignment to pull the annual budget presentation together. I you ever have been a point person for an important executive presentation you may know that it can be like herding cats. You need data, information, projections, opinions or slides from many different groups and individuals.  And you have make sure that everything mounts up to a great story.  

One day, my colleague and I were scheduled to meet with the division president to make final adjustments. We expected a one-hour meeting during which we get input and instructions for last minute changes.

So 10 AM it was. And while we were approaching the office the division manager was on the phone. The door was open and he waved us in. We sat down at the long conference table and watched him finish his phone call.  He hung up the phone and said “hi” and reconfirmed what he wanted to talk about.  

The Waiting Game Begins:

Then his phone rang again.  It was someone from engineering with a technical question.

After 20 minutes he hung up the phone and turned to us.  He said “OK” and started the conversation about our budget.  After five minutes his assistant knocked on the door. The CEO needed to speak with him.  We ask if we should leave the room and he said: “no” So we sat there somewhat embarrassed and listened to his side of the conversation.

After another 20 minutes or so, we finally were able to start our meeting – or so we thought. About 5 minutes in, he suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to talk to the production planning manager.

He excused himself a moment, left the room and came back quite some time later. And immediately another phone call interrupted him. That went on and on.  Believe it or not - the two of waited for four or five hours before he finally turned his attention to us.

Now admittedly, since we were very early in our careers, we got the VIP feeling being wrapped up that long in the office of the division president.

Neither one of us reported to him directly and that’s why I believe we didn’t say anything. The only reason why we kept on waiting for him was that we really needed his input.  And the longer we sat there without it, the longer we would have to work after hours.

Clearly our leader was overwhelmed and did not focus on the meeting. He had no control over his day. In fact, the day controlled him.  

Somehow, we got to the information we needed and got the presentation done on time. While we generally enjoyed working for this leader I wondered how he could not lose his mind working like this.

Here’s the Point:

If  your typical work day is peppered with interruption so you can’t focus on the people in front of you, then you clearly have opportunity for change! You have some thinking to do!

• Where are these interruptions coming from?
• Do you have enough structure and cadence on your day?
• Are you holding decisions too close to your vest and are a bottleneck?
• Are you not trusting your people?
• Do you have the right team in place?

There are many issues that can lead to a situation like I experienced on that day. And yes, we all have blind spots and good and bad days.

Strategy Session:

But if days with constant interruptions are the rule and this is holding you back from the success you want, let’s book a strategy session. In 90 minutes we can brainstorm ways you can limit interruptions to your day and level up your leadership and build a better business system so you and your team can thrive.