Wear multiple hats? Top tips on time management and working strategically
Being part of a small business often requires wearing multiple hats, and over the last year I have donned the business management chapeau! Some days I wish it was as easy as buying a hat in a store, however balancing this new responsibility with my role as consultant / facilitator is proving to be an exciting challenge as I learn to navigate these dual roles effectively.
It took a bit of time to wrap my brain around the change, and so I started by making sure I had a good understanding of the two roles:
- As a consultant / facilitator, I foster a learning environment that is practical, engaging, and responsive to the unique needs of adults. During sessions and workshops I need to focus my attention on much more than simply delivering content; I guide, motivate, and facilitate meaningful learning experiences that enable adult learners to apply knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.
- As a business manager, I have responsibility for setting goals, allocating resources, and ensuring the company meets its objectives. Using my critical thinking brain, I focus on strategy development, financial oversight, and decision-making, and I am often required to make authoritative decisions for the greater good of the company.
So, what strategies am I using to balance these two roles?
- Defining clear boundaries: it’s important for me to distinguish when I’m in consultant / facilitator mode and when I’m taking on the management role. Something as simple as giving myself a short break before switching roles provides clarity on which role I’m occupying at any given moment and avoids confusion.
- Prioritizing time management: balancing both roles can be time-consuming, and it’s been more important than ever to follow good time management practices, including:
- Checking email at set times during the day (instead of constantly)
- Using a to-do list for longer-term and recurring management tasks
- Using my calendar for all tasks and meetings and ensuring I leave sufficient “white space” for the unexpected
- Leveraging tools and processes: having streamlined business management processes has helped ease my steep learning curve and making sure the processes are well documented ensures sustainable growth for Kwela as roles shift.
- Being surrounded by a really great team (no further explanation needed!)
Finding harmony between the two roles is providing me with a greater sense of commitment and motivation, and I am thoroughly enjoying my new role where creativity and strategy coexist!
Kwela offers skills training in the topic areas of: Time Management, Critical Thinking & Problem Solving, and Vision to Action: Working Strategically.
Helen Schneiderman, Partner
helens@kwelaleadership.com
