I've just guested on the Focused Podcast, with David Sparks and Mike Schmitz:
Relay FM
It's 1 hour and 20 minutes of me yabbering on about how:
- clever people can be more productive and happier
- by working less,
- by solving one gnarly problem at a time.
Imposter Syndrome kicked in big time 😱 the week before it was published, but then ... it came out a day earlier than expected and I got a pleasant surprise when someone emailed me out of the blue, saying they'd loved the episode, and asked me to appear on their podcast.
Imposter Syndrome is such an a55hole.
I'm pleased. The podcast feels like my "Greatest Hits" album, tbh.
Highlights
I created a transcript then asked the cleverest version of chatgpt to highlight the 12 most interesting bits, and here is what it came up with:
1. The Power of Theory of Constraints
“If you’re a crazy-busy boss, you might be the bottleneck—and it’s time to fix that. Using bottleneck management principles can free up time, help you lead effectively, and eliminate gridlock across your team.”
2. How Busy Leaders Can Become Their Team’s Bottleneck
“A busy leader isn’t always a productive one. When your team has to wait on you, it creates gridlock. What’s one small change you could make to free up some space for thinking and leading?”
3. The Importance of Knowing Your Strengths and Weaknesses
“Trying to overcome your weaknesses could just be holding you back. My StrengthsFinder assessment showed I have low discipline, so I lean into ideation and creativity to get results.”
4. Breaking Free from the ‘Always Busy’ Mentality
“Busyness has become a badge of honor for many, but if you’re running yourself into the ground, it’s time to rethink. True productivity isn’t about cranking out more hours—it’s about doing the right things well.”
5. The Invisible Cost of Not Addressing Bottlenecks
“What’s the cost of ignoring a bottleneck in your organization? It’s not just money—it’s wasted time, stunted growth, and frustration. If you’re ready to reclaim your time, it’s worth addressing those constraints.”
6. Working Smarter, Not Longer
“Knowledge work isn’t about clocking eight hours of thinking. I realized I can only do 90 minutes of intense work a day before my brain needs a break—and that’s okay. Quality over quantity makes all the difference.”
7. How to Balance Care and Effectiveness as a Leader
“Many leaders care deeply about their teams and show it by being involved everywhere. But sometimes, the best way to support your team is to step back, giving them room to grow while you focus on leading.”
8. The Power of ‘What’s Next’ for Productivity
“When we’re overwhelmed, focusing on ‘What’s Next?’ can clarify priorities and reduce stress. In my work, I encourage people to solve one problem at a time, then ask, ‘What’s next?’ This simple question helps us focus on real progress.”
9. Transforming Work with Bottleneck Thinking
“Imagine a flagship ship in a fleet setting the pace. Bottleneck thinking works the same way: focus on what truly matters, then free up capacity around that priority to stay productive and balanced.”
10. How Clever People Can Fall into the ‘Pringles Trap’
“Constantly reading new ideas can be like snacking on Pringles—one more, one more—but there’s diminishing return. Sometimes, we need to stop collecting ideas and start applying what we already know.”
11. Using Humour to Build Team Chemistry
“A team has both the Scandinavian architects and the raccoons-on-meth, and it works! Recognizing each person’s strengths, even playfully, lets you place people in roles where they’ll thrive and balance each other.”
12. Building an Authentic Approach to Sales
“Selling doesn’t have to be ‘salesy.’ When your message is clear, and you’re speaking to the right audience, you’re helping them, not selling. The Five Light Bulbs framework showed me how to bridge that gap.”
Congrats on reading this far!
Clarke