Urgent People vs. Urgent Tasks
This week on The Better Workday Podcast, I am exploring the difference between an urgent task and an urgent person, and why understanding the difference is key to managing priorities at work.
In this episode I share why requests from senior or influential people can cloud our judgement, how to assess the real urgency of a task and practical ways for team leaders and managers to reduce false urgency in teal communications.
Key Takeaways
Recognise the difference between who is asking and what is being asked.
Pause to assess the task and ask clarifying questions if you aren’t sure how urgent the request is. If in doubt, ask yourself, “If someone else asked me to do this, would I still think it’s urgent?”
Set clear expectations about urgency when communicating with teams.
Consider letting other people know the timeline and impact when you ask them to complete a request. A simple change like letting people know when something isn’t needed immediately can help relieve unnecessary pressure on teams.
Urgency can often be a reflection of our approach to work.
If you are stressed, time-poor and rushing through your workday, tasks might seem or feel urgent - even when they are not. Taking regular breaks during the day to step back and assess your priorities can help you find the balance between a calm approach to work and healthy urgency when needed.
Practical Steps You Can Take
- Ask clarifying questions if you are unsure of how urgent a task is.
- Identify patterns that create urgency within teams.
- Introduce an urgency check before assigning work.
Related Resources
Download the 6 Clarity Questions to help you better assess tasks
Listen to Episode 45: Managing Expectations at Work
