The "P" Word Is Not That Bad: The Power In Procrastination

Picture this. My business partner and I—a classic case of fire and ice in some ways, but complimentary. For 11 rollicking years, we were the yin and yang of our venture, which I might modestly add, drummed up hundreds of millions in transactions and kept a 225-strong team buzzing. I was your textbook Type-A, go-getter. He, on the other hand, was as Zen-like as they come.

Here's a fun fact: his voicemail inbox was the stuff of legends. You see, he'd let it fill up—every. single. time. The result? A non-stop carnival of calls aimed at me from people trying to track him down. So, one day, in a fit of mild exasperation (okay, maybe not so mild), I confronted him about this peculiar habit. His response was dipped in typical Zen-style wisdom. He calmly stated, "99% of problems can be solved with just a little bit of time, usually by the person facing the problem themselves."

That hit me. What I had initially written off as procrastination was actually something far more profound. It was a means to encourage self-reliance and independent problem-solving. Suddenly, procrastination didn't seem like that naughty child that needed constant disciplining. Instead, it started to look more like a misunderstood genius, especially in the context of leadership. And that, dear friends, is what I’m here to talk about today. So, buckle up, and let's dive into the wonderfully counterintuitive world of beneficial procrastination!

Procrastination is often cast as the villain of productivity—a nemesis we must constantly strive to overcome. But what if we're interpreting it all wrong? What if procrastination, when harnessed strategically, could be a potent tool for leadership? This article aims to dissect, analyze, and challenge the common narrative surrounding procrastination and explore its potential benefits when applied thoughtfully in leadership.

Typically, procrastination is defined as the act of delaying or postponing tasks and is generally associated with negative outcomes such as stress, guilt, and underperformance. Most people perceive procrastination as a sign of poor time management or a lack of self-discipline. But procrastination often occurs when the task at hand is complex, boring, or lacks a clear structure.

Leadership is often synonymous with action and constant decision-making. Leaders are expected to be perpetually proactive, with an "always on" mentality. However, this approach can lead to stress, burnout, and, in extreme cases, decision fatigue. It begs the question: Could procrastination, often branded as a negative trait, be beneficial for leaders?

Procrastination can serve as a tool for effective prioritization. By postponing decisions or actions, leaders can distinguish between tasks that are merely urgent and those that are truly important. Consider the case of a CEO who delays responding to an influx of emails to focus on developing a long-term business strategy.

Procrastination also holds the potential to foster creativity and innovation. Allowing ideas time to incubate can lead to more creative solutions. Various scientific studies suggest that during periods of procrastination, our brains continue to work on problems subconsciously, leading to innovative ideas and solutions.

Lastly, procrastination can lead to better decision-making. A delay allows leaders to gather more information, leading to more informed decisions. Moreover, with time, new perspectives may emerge that can result in wiser choices.

However, it is crucial to note that not all procrastination is beneficial. So, when does procrastination turn harmful? The key lies in strategic procrastination—a purposeful delay, allowing leaders to better manage their resources, encourage innovation, and make more informed decisions.

To implement procrastination effectively, leaders need to understand their priorities, recognize when a delay can lead to innovation, and when it is necessary for better decision-making. This approach may face challenges, such as the perception of procrastination as a negative trait. However, by communicating the purpose and benefits of strategic delays, leaders can overcome this obstacle.

Reevaluating procrastination can unlock untapped potential in leadership. As leaders, it's time to consider incorporating strategic procrastination into your leadership style, leveraging it as a tool for prioritization, creativity, and decision-making. Changing our perspective towards procrastination can usher in a new era of thoughtful and innovative leadership.

This reevaluation is not a call for leaders to abandon their proactive ways, but an invitation to explore a more balanced approach where strategic procrastination can coexist with decisive action.