No matter how busy leaders are, they always find the time to lead—never too busy, preoccupied or distracted with other things. Even when temporarily pulled away, they are always thinking, planning and anticipating with the intent of circling back quickly to reengage. Responsibilities like:

Issues that need their attention.

Conversations that need to be had.

Decisions that need to be made.

Problems that need to be solved.

People that need their feedback.

These are not tasks. They are responsibilities. Here are two tests you’re confusing them.

1. When you are unable to attend to a responsibility, you say, “I’ll just put it on my to-do list, with an asterisk of course, so I can glance at it each day for weeks, with the comfort of knowing I haven’t forgotten about it and will get to it when I get a chance or until it blows up, whichever comes first. Ahh. I feel better.”

Responsibilities don’t belong on task lists.

 

2. When you don’t get back to your responsibilities, you use “task excuses”:

“Yeah, I need to get to that.”

“As soon as I free up, I’ll take care of it.”

“I’ve been meaning to get to that.”

“Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten about it.” 

Tasks are specific activities to complete. Responsibilities produce results. A string of tasks won’t necessarily get you what you want (think checklist). Assuming responsibility will. Technicians perform tasks. Leaders get results.

Responsibilities are higher priority. They are strategic. They are time-sensitive. What they aren’t are tasks.

What have you left undone, unattended, forgotten or otherwise neglected? Get to them now. They can’t wait.