If you want to get things done, go to the busiest people!
My experience over many years in business is to ask the busiest person in the organization if you want to get things done. But not the one who pretends he or she is busy, or who tries to play some sort of a political game.
But the one who is truly passionate about the company, providing real insights and integrity, while at the same time being very responsive whether it´s early morning or late night, even when you know that this person is under some extreme deadlines related to other engagements or appointments. These types of people have an inner drive, you don´t need to push them, they find the time and the priorities on their own, no need for a boss to do a top-down priority, they will do this much better themselves.
When doing a personality test a few things will stand out:
All though they are ambitious and career focused, they are team-oriented.
They tend to be driven by the learning part, not the power or the authority that comes with a job but are driven also by recognition.
They respond to all parts of the organization, again as they seek genuine insights and learning. They are not manipulative, but caring and want to excel.
I find it thrilling sometimes to see leaders not responding to a text message, a phone call, or an e-mail, not because they don´t have the time, or they don´t know what to answer. No, they are slow either for political reasons or their own motives to "wait and see" how it plays out or inertia to make decisions, or they don´t have the inner drive or the need to get things done.
When seeing great leaders who have built their own business from scratch, I see that there are many things they have in common, but one thing stands out: An immense drive and always busy: Busy to get things done and deliver where they can handle multiple tasks and assignments.
So my best advice, if you face a severe challenge: Ask the busiest person you know of! And most likely, that person is also someone you will work well with!
