Work On It
Ready — Is working hard the same as working smart? Not according to Michael Gerber, founder and CEO of Gerber Business Development and author of The E-Myth Revisited. He believes most leaders fail not from lack of effort, but from lack of structure. Successful leaders don’t just work in their organizations. They work on them.
Set — Productivity happens when leaders design repeatable processes that free them from chaos and create room for creativity. Top leaders reframe time management as system management.
To get started . . .
Build Systems That Save Time. Gerber often says, “your business should run like a franchise whether you ever franchise it or not.” Systems turn daily decisions into predictable routines, freeing leaders to focus on vision instead of firefighting. A good system is a time multiplier. It works even when you’re not there.
Escape the Technician’s Trap. Some (many?) leaders spend their days putting out fires instead of lighting new ones. Gerber warns against being trapped “in the business” doing the work, rather than leading the organization toward growth. Time expands when leaders delegate tasks and develop others to share responsibility.
Define the Big Picture. Without a clear picture of the desired future, every urgent demand feels important. Gerber urges leaders to ask, “What are we here to do?” The clearer the vision, the easier it becomes to prioritize the vital few over the trivial many.
Create Rhythms. Gerber teaches that clarity emerges from consistency. Effective leaders schedule time each week to review systems, refine strategies, and restore perspective. Reflection turns busy activity into intentional progress.
Grow! — The art of building a fruitful life and organization happens through intention, not accident. Leaders who invest time in creating systems discover that order produces opportunity and effectiveness.
Two Questions
Are you spending more time in your work or on your work?
What systems could you design this week to multiply your time and free your focus for what matters most?