Legendary musician, composer, and producer Quincy Jones died last week at the age of 91. Few artists have been as commercially successful or prolific as Jones during his more than seven decades of musical influence.
I am usually not a fan of the “here’s how a great person does it” narratives since I find them over-simplified and largely fictional, but I appreciate this insight into Q.
When I was a manager, I struggled with distractions and shifting priorities. I almost felt guilty when I devoted myself to one task even when I knew that’s what I should do.
Even now, I recently made the mistake of committing to two major projects. I thought I could do them in tandem, but I’m productive only when I focus entirely on one for a given period (usually days). Jones had it right!
I am not familiar with Quincy Jones. I appreciate you putting him on my radar.
I do not see that working too well in management. Given that there are almost always interruptions. I was taught, those interruptions are what I am being paid to handle.
Regarding hobbies and outside learning, I can see that type of perseverance valuable. For example, I prefer reading one book at a time. There multiple benefits to operating this way. That said, anyone that has been to college knows they don't operate this way (This was one main reason I dropped out after three semesters in my early twenties.). Doesn't seem logical does it....?
In a management role like yours Joe, the practical question might be… when you’re in the midst of solving one interruption do you allow yourself to be redirected off task by another interruption that comes in.
Wouldn’t most people in most work roles have to address that sort of question?
Over the years, I've learned to protect my time. For example, I'm in the middle of something important and someone interrupts me (these days it's through teams, but it applies to someone walking in your office too) by asking, "Do you have a minute to talk?" I will respond with something like, "I'm in the middle of something right now, how about I call you when I get done?" Or better yet, "I'm free at 2:30, can we talk then?" I've taught my team to do this too (even with me) and it works 90% of the time).
I used to pride myself on being able to juggle multiple tasks and projects at one. I didn't realize the impact it was having on others in my personal and work life. I used to have the tendency when starting and working on a major project to get distracted by starting up and working on multiple (even if related) side projects. In my case, I was overusing my strength of flexibility and needed to learn how to focus better and become more disciplined and starting one thing and seeing it through to completion.
One way I think a leader can be incredibly effective is by creating a culture of focusing on one project at a time. Your team members will never be distraction free, but can you create space and expectation that they can retreat to a single project and see that completed. I think that is one of the most valuable things I do as a manager, to give my team members focus, and remove distractions so that they can be as productive and impactful as possible.
I am usually not a fan of the “here’s how a great person does it” narratives since I find them over-simplified and largely fictional, but I appreciate this insight into Q.
When I was a manager, I struggled with distractions and shifting priorities. I almost felt guilty when I devoted myself to one task even when I knew that’s what I should do.
Even now, I recently made the mistake of committing to two major projects. I thought I could do them in tandem, but I’m productive only when I focus entirely on one for a given period (usually days). Jones had it right!
Good morning,
I am not familiar with Quincy Jones. I appreciate you putting him on my radar.
I do not see that working too well in management. Given that there are almost always interruptions. I was taught, those interruptions are what I am being paid to handle.
Regarding hobbies and outside learning, I can see that type of perseverance valuable. For example, I prefer reading one book at a time. There multiple benefits to operating this way. That said, anyone that has been to college knows they don't operate this way (This was one main reason I dropped out after three semesters in my early twenties.). Doesn't seem logical does it....?
Thank you for your time.
Quincy surely wasn’t interruption free.
In a management role like yours Joe, the practical question might be… when you’re in the midst of solving one interruption do you allow yourself to be redirected off task by another interruption that comes in.
Wouldn’t most people in most work roles have to address that sort of question?
Over the years, I've learned to protect my time. For example, I'm in the middle of something important and someone interrupts me (these days it's through teams, but it applies to someone walking in your office too) by asking, "Do you have a minute to talk?" I will respond with something like, "I'm in the middle of something right now, how about I call you when I get done?" Or better yet, "I'm free at 2:30, can we talk then?" I've taught my team to do this too (even with me) and it works 90% of the time).
I used to pride myself on being able to juggle multiple tasks and projects at one. I didn't realize the impact it was having on others in my personal and work life. I used to have the tendency when starting and working on a major project to get distracted by starting up and working on multiple (even if related) side projects. In my case, I was overusing my strength of flexibility and needed to learn how to focus better and become more disciplined and starting one thing and seeing it through to completion.
One way I think a leader can be incredibly effective is by creating a culture of focusing on one project at a time. Your team members will never be distraction free, but can you create space and expectation that they can retreat to a single project and see that completed. I think that is one of the most valuable things I do as a manager, to give my team members focus, and remove distractions so that they can be as productive and impactful as possible.