sometimes simplicity wins

"I wish we had more discipline." Do you lack discipline in execution? No, it's not just that. Despite putting a lot of effort into streamlining and increasing efficiency in meetings, decision-making, and implementation, it somehow seems impossible to maintain the necessary level of focus and discipline. The number of tasks increases until everything seems important and urgent. Simultaneously, there is an increasing demand for attention in several, if not all, corners of the company.

Eisenhower's Matrix, named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, helps prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance:

• Urgent and important: Do it!

• Not urgent but important: Plan it.

• Urgent but not important: Delegate it.

• Not urgent and not important: Eliminate it.
  

Simplicity is what I like most about Eisenhower's Matrix. By categorizing tasks, it becomes easier to focus on what truly matters and avoid getting distracted by less critical activities.

Yet, what if the number of tasks in the highest priority category doesn’t shrink? Another military strategy comes in handy: Napoleon’s Triage. This method, derived from battlefield medicine, classifies tasks (or patients) based on the severity and urgency of their condition:

• will survive without receiving any care - no immediate action required

• will die regardless of the care received - no action required

• will survive only if immediate care is received - immediate action is required.

I know, sounds brutal. Still, when applied in a business context, it helps identify tasks that need immediate attention. It increases discipline. Considering direct impact and collateral damage, of course. Everything else can wait.

My humble and utmost respect to all who work in emergency medicine.