What is the priority?

In organizations, there are many competing priorities among different departments. Everyone may track the organization’s priorities and their individual tasks differently, i.e., through “to-do” lists, action plans, etc. Strategic planning sessions at the highest level may help executives get on the same page regarding the vision and direction of the organization, but other levels of the organization—such as directors and managers—may not know or understand the direction and how their work fits into the big picture.

Organizations are short-staffed, with employees—including executives and senior leaders—wearing multiple hats. This results in taking on increased responsibilities and oversight, which can create a culture and environment where everything may feel like a priority. Sometimes, the importance of the tasks at hand is truly equal, and it is hard to focus on getting one task and goal across the finish line when others cannot be neglected either. As you can imagine, this can quickly lead to burnout if too much multitasking is going on.

Effectively communicating priorities becomes crucial to align efforts, maintain focus, and achieve strategic goals. This helps avoid frustration when someone who is trying to push through their task/priority gains the understanding why another priority has pushed theirs down on the list.

Helping executive leadership understand the cost/benefit analysis—or, in the compliance world, the potential risks—will help determine the timing of when something will emerge as a top priority for everyone to focus on. However, even when everyone agrees on top priorities, actions speak louder than words. Is everyone answering their emails, attending necessary meetings, and completing their assigned tasks timely to move the priority to completion? What commitment is demonstrated to how people are held accountable? Does everyone know what success will look like and the timeline? Is someone taking the lead to report assigned tasks/next steps and completion regularly? Are regular check-in meetings on everyone’s calendars at the appropriate frequency?

Often, top-down communication and actions will drive the success of creating focus to meet deadlines. When an organization can get ahead of realistic deadlines and not operate in a reactive crisis mode, it provides breathing room to further evaluate priorities.

At the end of the day, regular communication of updates on how the organization is progressing toward its priorities will help celebrate successes and address challenges openly.

* Catherine Boerner is the President of Boerner Consulting LLC in New Berlin, WI.