Could you increase the value of each hour you put in:

If you could successfully anticipate, and not have to wait for, the decisions of your boss and those of
other departments? And if your subordinates would similarly anticipate you?

If you could ask for — and get — the operating information you need instead of having to “dig it out”
for yourself?

If you could sign more documents prepared by your subordinates with full confidence that you were
underwriting better papers than you would have time to produce yourself? And if your boss would more
often do the same with documents you prepare?

If your subordinates had routine ways of findings to more of the questions they now interrupt you for?

If interdepartmental conflicts and differences were resolved more often at those levels in the
organization where they initially arise?

If the reports you get from “the field” were more timely and meaningful? And if you got faster feedback
you send “up the line.”

If you could become more accessible to your subordinates and have more time to yourself without
having to put in longer hours?

If others would stop bypassing you for decisions that are your prerogative to make? And if your boss
stopped preempting you by making such decisions on his or her own.