Table of Contents
For Carlos,
who always taught me to
move very slowly, but in a great rush
THE COMPANY
Phil glanced at the digital clock on his sedan. It read 8:54 A.M. He nodded to himself in satisfaction at being several minutes early. He had learned years ago that if he was going to teach efficiency and time management to others, he had better be living it himself.
After grabbing his briefcase, Phil opened his car door and stepped out. He turned and looked up at the sign on the sprawling building that proudly proclaimed GREENGARB: CLOTHES MOTHER NATURE INTENDED.
Phil had done his research about his new coaching client. Helen Whitman had been an influential executive in a large retail clothing chain for nearly a decade. Just a few years ago, however, she recognized the trend toward eco-friendly products and decided to make the jump into entrepreneurship. Last year, GreenGarb boasted sales of over $20 million and was heading for even greater growth.
Despite the successor more likely because of itHelen had hit a brick wall. After a bit of burnout, Helen had contacted a few close friends, asking for a referral to someone who could help.
As Phil walked toward the building, he reflected on his first conversation with Helen. Her situation was all too familiar. While the company sizes and industries of Phils clients varied greatly, their stories were echoes of each other. His clients were stressed out, overworked, and underpaid. They were finding themselves with more and more to do at work and less and less time for their family and other personal life.
These business owners all came to Phil for help. They were looking for someone who understood that it was lonely at the top. They were looking for someone who could help them make the behavior corrections that would get them more time and less stress.
Helens company was unique, but her story was the same.
As he walked through the front door of the building, Phil was greeted by a receptionist with a no- nonsense look about her. Phil found his mouth a little dry as he spoke up.
Im here to see Helen.
The receptionist looked up. Do you have an appointment?
Yes. Yes, I do.
Just a moment. The receptionist pressed the intercom button and politely said, Ms. Whitman? There is a gentleman here at the front who says he has an appointment with you. After listening to the response, she said, Please follow me.
As Phil followed the receptionist down the hall, he glanced in each direction and noticed the offices of the company managers. There was a general feeling of controlled chaos on all sides. A few desks appeared organized, but most offices had piles of papers on the desk that occasionally flowed onto the floor. People walked in and out of the offices in a hurry, speaking in brisk, determined tones to each other.
Phil had certainly seen this before. Just by looking into the offices of the company managers, Phil grew a bit more comfortable. He knew what to expect when he walked into Helens office. In fact, he knew what to expect from Helen. The common saying was true: the business truly is a reflection of its owner.
THE OWNER
The situation in the CEOs office was just short of chaos. A woman with glasses shot him a glance as if to say, If you re here for Helen, wait in line. Phil smiled. Helen waved Phil in and gestured to an open chair. Please, come in and have a seat. We re just finishing up.
Phil moved to the chair and considered the scene carefully. Two men whom Phil guessed were managers were sitting at the small conference table with Helen.
The woman with glasses stood impatiently, watching the proceedings. It was obvious to Phil she was not part of the conversation and was eager for a moment to catch Helens ear. Phil watched her with curiosity. She was biting her lower lip just slightly, trying to contain herself.
Finally the managers completed their conversation with Helen and stood up from the table.
Helen turned to the woman, displaying a bit of her own impatience. Yes, Sally, what is it? As Sally began speaking, Helen turned to Phil and interjected, This will take just a moment, I m sorry.
Sally sighed audibly.
No need to be sorry, Phil replied. He could sense the tension in the room and was doing his best to diffuse it. Helen turned back to Sally and shot a controlled, Go.
I wish we could have talked about this before you went into that meeting. I have a supplier in Kansas who is chomping at the bit. He wants to know if you approved the change in color from khaki to light tan.
Now Helen bit her bottom lip. She was clearly attempting to control her emotions. Sally, I talked to him yesterday and told him everything he needed to know.
So what is the answer?
Tell him again that light tan is fine. Delaying our shipment is not!
Got it. Um... Sally stood motionless in front of Helen. Phil could tell she was going through her memory to find something to tell Helen.
Yes?
Sudden recognition flashed across Sallys face. Did you get to the designs I sent to you yesterday?
Helen sighed. No, Sally. I havent. Ive been buried. Im trying to do a million things. Ill get to it sometime today.
Sally shrugged. Fine. She turned and left abruptly.
Sally? Helen called out.
Yes? Sally said, turning. She was obviously anticipating something of great importance.
Please close the door behind you.
THE LIE
Helen began speaking in a rush. Phil, I just dont have enough time to do everything I need to! Everyone is constantly demanding my attention. I m behind on checking my e-mail. My voice mail is full. I m constantly thinking about what I need to do! Helen shook her head as her voice trailed off. I guess thats what you re here for, isnt it?
Yes, said Phil sympathetically, and glanced around the room. So, just to check in regarding the phone conversation we had last week, have you been able to let everyone know that we re going to be meeting today? Will we be able to have uninterrupted time?
I guess so, Helen sighed. Ive told everybody that I was not to be disturbed. However, there is one call I need to take if it comes in.
Phil smiled. Okay, then. He leaned forward in his chair and looked her directly in the eyes. Tell me, Helen: When I say the word multitasking, what comes to mind?
Helens face changed into a broad smile of self-satisfaction. Me, she said.
You? What do you mean?
Me! I m an excellent multitasker. I m the Queen of Multitasking. Its actually a requirement when we post ads for new hires. My employees are all expected to be good multitaskers.
Phil grinned and leaned back in his chair. Then you may be shocked with what I m about to teach you. He paused. Do you like Mark Twain?
Helen looked puzzled. Sure, I like Mark Twain. I read Huckleberry Finn when I was in high school. What does he have to do with multitasking? Phil rocked his head casually from side to side. Actually, not much. Mark Twain was credited with a quotemaybe youve heard it: There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.
Helen chuckled softly. Ive heard that before.
Let me give you a different version, a twenty-first-century version. It goes like this: There are lies, damned lies, and multitasking. Phil stopped and waited for a reaction.
