The most common concern expressed by chief executives at organizations with a small number of staff is, “I just don’t have time to do it all!” And yet they feel that to say ‘no’ to the board of directors is a nail in the coffin of their careers. So they work 80 hours each week and still can’t satisfy a board that thinks the executive can somehow manufacture time. 

Of course, chief executives are expected to work an average of 60 hours each week. If that doesn’t fit your lifestyle, then being the person in charge of it all is not for you. But even with the expectation that you’ll work many hours, you can help your board understand that you really can’t do it all – at least not all at one time. In our next two editions, we’ll give you some practical suggestions on how to say ‘not now’ to your board and to yourself.