Efficient & Effective: A Success Story
Part 1: What is Important.
Recently, I’ve been reflecting on what is most important to me. As I scanned the list of words, the one that jumped out was efficiency (performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort) – this didn’t sit right with me. I began to think about why I cared so much about efficiency. I felt like it was “bad” but I couldn’t figure out why. So, I googled “what’s the problem with being overly focused on efficiency?” Naturally, all the links were about efficiency vs effectiveness. As I read some of the articles, I realized that I was missing my “to what end.” I recognized I was spending a lot of time and energy thinking and planning how I wanted to do something, which is not necessarily a bad thing, it’s actually my favorite part. But, while I was spending a lot of time doing the how, I was missing details about the what – what actually needed to happen. I wasn’t clear on the end goal.
I’m sure we all have experienced talking to someone who says they want one thing, but when you give it to them, they’re disappointed – you realize that’s not what they wanted. Or, when you are working with someone to coordinate an activity, and you make a plan together, but when you get to the activity, no one is following the plan. As a person who cares about efficiency, these types of interactions really throw me for a loop, because I’m overly focused on the how and putting a lot of time, energy, and resources into something that now seems wasted *head explodes*.
Part 2: Shifting Focus
What I know now is being efficient is most valuable when it helps me be effective. In order to be effective, I have to be clear about the outcome I am working towards. I have to ask more questions and use reflective listening to ensure I heard them. This allows us to see if we’re on the same page. I myself have a hard time fully expressing my wants and needs to others, so sometimes I leave out details, or I say one thing and I really meant something else. ME: “Can you grab the soy sauce? *Receives soy sauce* This isn’t coconut aminos!?” It’s not crazy to think that others might have this issue as well, especially when discussing problems or challenges that are uncomfortable, vulnerable, or not all the way clear to begin with. Additionally, I’m noticing that often times, my plan or proposed solution is the right course of action to get to their desired outcome, but I can take time to show that I understand them, their concerns, and their desires. Another challenge I experience at work is trusting others to get tasks done, because I just know they won’t be able to do it how I would do it. However, sometimes I need help, and I have a team who is willing and able to help me. Continuing to shift from a focus on efficiency to effectiveness, I again sit with what needs to happen and what is the outcome that is desired. When delegating tasks, I’ve been by running through the 5Ws to make sure I’ve got all the details out. I’m recognizing that I’m not telling people what to do, I’m giving people information to make decisions, choices, take action, and be efficient. I feel better able to give constructive criticism when I can better state if something is wrong or just different – the only need to give criticism is when the action or product does not meet expectation.
Part 3: Success
I was working with my co-lead on a client product. I shared what I thought the product should do and they shared some ideas on elements that were needed. We landed on a flow that my co-lead could work with and they were tasked with completing the product. When my co-lead shared the product, it was amazing! I eagerly began to praise them before I even finished reading the whole document. When we sent our product for review, our supervisor had no comments or feedback. This was really affirming. I know I’ve done great work and made things happen but I can’t always recall or name what those things actually are – I just know I put great effort and energy into it. Being able to make things efficient is a skill or value that I can best leverage when I know the desired outcome. And if there is not clear desired outcome, that’s my signal to do less. I so look forward to how much energy I’ll reclaim as I commit to this shi