The Real Reason Leaders Procrastinate (Hint: It’s Not Time)

A 3-Step Process to Help You Tackle the Tasks You Keep Putting Off: Part 2 of 5 in Our Productive Leadership Challenge

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TLDR:

• Leaders who avoid difficult tasks create a mental drain on themselves and frustration among their team

• Procrastination isn’t just a time management issue – it’s primarily an emotional regulation problem

• Identifying the specific emotion behind your avoidance is the first step to overcoming it

• A simple three-step process can help break through emotional barriers to action

• Taking even a micro-action on your most avoided task builds momentum for larger progress

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Welcome to Day 2 of our Productive Leadership Challenge! 👋

Yesterday, we discovered how starting your day with intention sets the foundation for effective leadership. Today, we’re tackling something equally powerful: facing the tasks you’ve been avoiding.

• Day 1: Starting the Day with Intention

• Day 2: Facing What You’re Avoiding (You Are Here)

• Day 3: Finding Focus in a Busy Schedule

• Day 4: Working with Your Energy

• Day 5: Setting the Tone for Your Team

What You’re Avoiding Is Costing You (and Your Team)

Think about that difficult feedback conversation you’ve delayed for weeks. Or the important decision sitting in your “think about later” pile.

These avoided tasks aren’t just waiting patiently on your to-do list. They’re actively draining your mental energy throughout the day.

Each time you remember that unfinished task, your brain experiences a small hit of stress. You feel a twinge of guilt. Your confidence takes a subtle blow. This constant background processing silently steals focus from whatever you’re doing in the moment.

And the cost extends beyond your own mental state…

A study of 290 employees found that leader procrastination leads to increased job frustration among team members. When you delay decisions or feedback, you’re not just hurting your own effectiveness – you’re creating a ripple effect that erodes team morale and trust.

Your team notices when you avoid making calls, and they feel the impact directly.

Address the Emotional Root of Avoidance

But did you know that procrastination isn’t a time management problem?