Helping ambitious managers reclaim their time and be exceptional leaders. Weekly advice, how-tos and latest thinking to get you ahead.
Why Successful Leaders Never Say 'I'm Busy' (And What They Do Instead) đź’¬
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Hi there, You know when you are flat out with work, and someone suddenly stops you to ask you a question... You say, “I’m just really busy right now.” Totally normal, right? I know, you are in back-to-back with meetings, your inbox is overflowing, and you’re juggling more than ever. However you have a problem… “I’m busy” is quietly damaging your leadership.It doesn’t sound strategic — it sounds reactive. When your team or peers hear it, they often interpret is as:
You might be trying to show how hard you’re working, but it can create a disconnect — making others feel overlooked, or worse, like you're constantly firefighting. What do smart leaders say (and do) instead?It comes down to two things:
Here are three simple shifts that make a big difference: 1. Block Time to ThinkSmart leaders don’t wait for time to appear — they create it. They block time for strategic thinking. For example, weekly planning, where each week ask yourself:
Without this space, you’re always reacting to others’ urgency. With it, you naturally start leading more. 2. Protect One-to-Ones Like GoldOne-to-ones are not just admin time. They’re where your real leadership happens. They help your team prioritise. They help you coach and unblock them. They prevent issues from becoming big problems. If you’re missing these — or they’re constantly rescheduled — make them non-negotiable again. (And if you need help, I’ve got a One-to-One Toolkit you can grab here.) 3. Set “Office Hours” for Ad-Hoc QuestionsThere will always be times when your team needs quick advice and direction. Being constantly available can feel helpful — but it drains your focus. Try instead to be predictably available. Set time each day/week when you are open for these conversations or just say to your team “I’m available from 4 to 5pm each day — that’s a good time to check in if something pops up.” If you’re working remotely, set up a regular video call link. This creates structure, reduces interruptions, and helps your team know when and how to approach you. Language Matters Too“I’m busy” can sometimes just shoot from our mouths as a reaction to yet more work coming in, so if this happens to you try replacing it with phrases like:
And one of the most powerful questions you can ask your team when they bring you a problem or a challenge is:
It gets them thinking. It gives you time to think so that you don’t jump into the auto pilot taking the task on or solving the problem for your team. And it shifts the tone from reactive to collaborative, and is far more empowering. Want to see this in action?In this week’s video, I walk through:
​Click here to watch the full video now. You’ll walk away with practical tools to stop firefighting — and start leading. I'd love to hear from you — which of these resonates most? What's one small change you could make this week to be more available to your team while protecting your focus time? Until next week, Best, Helen
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Leadership Accelerator Newsletter
Helping ambitious managers reclaim their time and be exceptional leaders. Weekly advice, how-tos and latest thinking to get you ahead.
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