How successful leaders spend their day

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The way leaders behave during the working day affects the success of the entire company.

Researchers surveyed over 1,000 executives in six countries to find out what they do during the day and how their behavior affects the success and failure of their companies.

According to the survey results, time during the day is usually distributed as follows:

56% - meetings and conferences;
26% - planning, communication by mail and other similar matters;
10% - personal questions;
8% - travel.

The researchers also studied what exactly this time is spent on. It turned out that the behavior of leaders can be divided into two groups: leaders and managers.

Managers interact more with employees in the value chain, meet with customers and suppliers. Leaders mostly communicate with senior executives and external stakeholders, planning and talking a lot.

The former usually run small businesses, while the latter are more likely to be at the helm of large and complex companies.

Comparing the type of leader with the financial performance of the company, the scientists came to the conclusion that the leaders of the company are more successful and profitable.

The researchers compared the data before and after the appointment of a new leader. It turned out that after the emergence of a leader-leader, the productivity of the company increases. The effect appears after three years, which suggests that leaders are really making an effort to change the company.

Of course, the way a leader spends his day depends on the activities of the company and on its current state. During a crisis, one skill set is needed, and during a stable development, a completely different one.

It's okay if a small company has a leader-leader, but the opposite situation can do much more harm. Leaders-managers tend to devote too much time to the current activities of the company and often micromanage.

While this study provides a new perspective on management, its authors advise against managers changing their behavior by looking back at others. When making decisions, first of all, you should focus on the situation and your strengths. Try to find such qualities in yourself and use them, as well as select situations in which they unfold.