Some resist having anything resembling a routine; they think it’s boring, and they want to remain fluid and flexible to respond to changing circumstances. But good routines actually give you the stability you need in order to adapt when challenges arise. I once heard someone say, “Management is boring. If you want excitement become a race car driver.” His point was that good managers aren’t there to seek thrills; they are there to keep things under control, minimize the unexpected disruptions, and give their employees the consistency they need to do their best work. Good processes ensure that you attend to the routine, necessary, and predictable tasks, freeing your mind to respond creatively to unexpected events.
HT: Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney by Lee Cockerell (New York: Doubleday, 2008)
