When a busy season hits, like a new school residency and the Buckeye Book Fair author list needs to be confirmed…effective leadership shifts from driving tasks to focusing on strategic prioritization, effective delegation, and protecting my team’s well-being. By being intentional with my time and communication, I can navigate the chaos and prevent burnout. 

Prioritize Ruthlessly

During busy periods, a long to-do list can create overwhelm for you and your team. Use a prioritization framework to determine what truly matters and what can be put aside. 

• Use the “Rule of Three”: At the start of each day, identify only your top three key priorities. Writing down just a few core objectives helps you focus on what is most impactful, rather than getting distracted by a lengthy list.
• “Eat the Frog”: Tackle your most difficult and high-impact task first thing in the morning. This prevents procrastination and gives you a burst of momentum and accomplishment early in the day. 

Delegate and Empower

Micromanagement is a recipe for disaster during busy times. Strategic delegation not only frees up your time but also develops your team and boosts their morale by showing trust. 

• Delegate outcomes, not just tasks: When you hand off a project, explain the desired result and the “why” behind it. This empowers team members to use their own creativity and problem-solving skills to achieve the goal, rather than just following instructions.
• Match tasks to strengths: Assign tasks to team members who are best suited to handle them. This increases efficiency and ensures higher-quality results while also making the work more engaging for the employee.
• Set clear expectations and check in regularly: Don’t delegate and disappear. Clearly define success metrics and deadlines, and schedule brief, regular check-ins to monitor progress. This provides support without hovering and allows you to adjust priorities if needed. 

Maintain Your Focus as a Leader

As the person at the top, your mindset can set the tone for the entire team. Protect your own energy and focus so you can make effective decisions and lead with confidence. 

• Block out “thinking time”: Schedule time on your calendar for strategic thinking and planning. Treat it as a non-negotiable meeting. During this time, turn off distractions and focus on high-impact work rather than reactive tasks.
• Develop a “stop doing” list: Create a list of all the low-impact tasks you do regularly and intentionally stop doing them. As a leader, your time should be spent on the highest-value activities, not busywork. 

Navigating chaos and preventing burnout is a big deal when the Buckeye Book Fair is approaching. I’m forced to be intentional with every minute. The driving tasks are at the forefront and I’ve got to trust the strategies I’ve already placed in my planner. I share these tips from my heart. See you at the Buckeye Book Fair on Saturday, November 1st in Wooster, Ohio.