The Illusion of Busyness

Some senior leaders love to talk about how busy they are.

It becomes a badge of honour.

But we know that being busy isn’t the same as being effective.

Busyness often masks poor prioritisation, firefighting, or the failure to step back and lead strategically. It feels like progress, but it’s really motion without

momentum.

Activity vs Impact

Activity looks impressive. Packed calendars. Endless meetings. Always on the move.

Impact looks different. Clarity of priorities. Space to think. Decisions that stick.

High-performing leaders understand the difference. They don’t mistake constant activity for genuine progress.

The Real Cost of Busyness

When leaders equate busyness with value, teams follow their example. Everyone works harder, but not necessarily smarter.

This results in poor planning. Short-term fixes. Missed opportunities because nobody had the bandwidth to stop, think, and align.

It’s not leadership. It’s just motion sickness.

From Busy to Effective

Confident leaders slow down enough to ask:

• What actually matters most?

• What can only I do?

• What should I stop doing?

And given the conversations I have had with some clients in recent weeks, the last point is the most important for some leaders.

The best leaders create space for strategic thinking. They invest in alignment. They lead with clarity and conviction, not with a packed diary.

The Question for You

Are your senior leaders really leading, or just staying busy?

If this resonates with the kind of leaders you want to see in your business, let’s have a conversation. Get in touch via richard@twentyoneleadership.com.