Publications
Publications
- November 15, 2019
- Harvard Business Review (website)
Getting Your Team to Do More Than Meet Deadlines
By: A.V. Whillans, Charlotte Blank, Laura M. Giurge and Laurel Newman
Abstract
When it comes to our to-do lists, many of us prioritize checking off tasks that are easiest to complete or are due first, regardless of importance—a phenomenon that scholars describe as the “mere urgency” effect. This tendency becomes stronger the busier we are. But constantly prioritizing urgent tasks means that important tasks that have no urgent deadline (such as updating your resume or doing creative work) get pushed aside for later and later. Some just never get done. When we fail to do what’s important, often what matters most to us, we feel stressed, overwhelmed, and unmotivated—and firms are less productive. Research suggests managers can help employees combat the tendency to put off for tomorrow what isn’t due today: have employees set aside proactive time for work that is important but not urgent.
Keywords
Citation
Whillans, A.V., Charlotte Blank, Laura M. Giurge, and Laurel Newman. "Getting Your Team to Do More Than Meet Deadlines." Harvard Business Review (website) (November 15, 2019). (Shared Authorship.)
About The Author
