Are You Spending Your Time Where It Matters Most?

Recently, I met with a managing partner of a successful business in Kansas City. Like many high-achievers, he was grappling with one of the most common challenges: finding more hours in the day.

Time, after all, is the great equalizer. Whether you’re a CEO or a street performer, we each get 24 hours to make a difference. It’s how we choose to spend those hours that defines our success.

During our conversation, he brought up an interaction with an employee working in the kitchen. As the General Manager, he found himself discussing the quality of produce—specifically, a single grape from an otherwise pristine case.

Now, let’s pause here. Conversations with employees are crucial. They build relationships, foster trust, and establish the foundation for a thriving operation. But in this case, the conversation had by this General Manager was about a single grape. It raises some essential questions:

• Was this truly the best use of the General Manager’s time?

• How does this General Manager determine who is best suited to guide the employee?

• What is the best method of establishing accountability and responsibility while at the same time building a strong team?

This General Manager’s daily reality involves raising kids, investing in a loving marriage, managing and growing a business, and volunteering in the community. With so many responsibilities, he must ask himself the most important question: Am I spending my time doing what only I specifically can do?

Effective leaders know that their time is their most valuable resource. It’s about delegation, empowerment, and recognizing where their attention makes the biggest impact. By focusing on high-value tasks that only they can accomplish, leaders can create lasting change in their businesses and their lives.

So, what about you? How are you spending your 24 hours?