The Illusion of Work
Do you know a guy at work who seems to always have a lot of work, but in reality you know he doesn’t? They appear in most companies. There the guy running around all the time complaining about how much work they have and how they can’t get any of it done.
I’m not saying that everyone who does this doesn’t actually have a lot of work. Many people are genuinely overworked. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that most people do this to themselves. I will admit, that sometimes I probably made it seem like I had more than I had simply so it would look like I was working hard.
But I’ve decided to go the other way on this one. I want it to appear that I’m always in control. Think about this carefully. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make the move from middle management to upper management. This is a big jump, and the rules at the top aren’t the same at the bottom. While working your ass off is what it takes to get where I am, I don’t think it will get me much further.
Executives need to always be in control of the situation. Things can not be hectic around an executive. Having “too much work” is a sure way to cause chaos. Things get missed when you are overworked, and when things get missed at the top, they have a BIG impact on everyone else. Further, it is crucial that management always be able to do more with less. If you can’t manage your own workload, how are you going to be able to manage the workload of others. How are you going to manage it when you inevitably have to cut staff and produce even more?
This isn’t to say I’m not going to work hard. Of course I am, it’s just who I am. But I’m going to be sure not to make it seem like I have “too much work”. What are your thoughts? Is it more important to look busy or look like you can manage your time effectively?
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