The Case for the Pursuit of Less | Accelerate Success with Lorraine Moore

Has our world become exponentially more complex? Are we exhibiting change at an unprecedented rate? Some would say yes; I do not agree.

My mother-in-law, who lived to almost 100, experienced and thrived with new technology, changing social norms and political ebbs and flows. She flew on the Concorde several times, loved using her latest version iPad and was in favour of autonomous driving vehicles. This woman, who drove army tanks as a Wren during World War II, dined with the Queen and Prince Philip on several occasions, lived in Canada, the UK, the US and Brazil and experienced the Great Depression, also supported the legalization of cannabis decades ago.

No, I don’t think we are facing greater challenges or increased demands. However, many leaders are operating in a frenetic manner, stretched thin as they bounce from one activity to another, overcommitting themselves and their teams.

Technology has enabled us to be available at any time and from almost anywhere on the planet. It is, arguably, our poor judgement that has resulted in our employees responding to cell phone calls while hiking on holiday, or that has filled our electronic calendars with meetings and commitments. In many businesses, corporate policy is that electronic calendars must be open so that others can schedule your time.

What I learned from my mother-in-law, and see in some of the best performing companies, is a pursuit of less.

A sage board chair recently advised a CEO and her team to revisit their strategy, with an eye to reduce the number of stated priorities. In one of the few M&As that met the expected financial synergies, the president courageously told customers and employees what would not be achieved during the first two years of transition – to ensure that his commitments to new products, services and employee experience, would be met or exceeded.

I have written of this in the past. While we spend our days tied to machines, our greatest assets are our differences. We work best in three-hour sprints. We achieve most when we have time for rejuvenation and reflection. We are more creative when we write with pen and paper. We are most innovative when we have time and space to think and muse.

Let’s unleash the best of ourselves, our employees, our companies and our families. Consider tackling the pursuit of less.

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