You Look Busy. Well Done.

There is a special kind of respect reserved for people who look as though they're one email away from a complete breakdown.

Someone rushes past clutching a laptop, a coffee and the expression of a person who hasn't sat down since Tuesday.

“Busy?”

“Absolutely manic. Another six spreadsheets to finish.”

We nod with admiration.

Wonderful. A functioning member of society.

Because nothing says productivity quite like creating another spreadsheet to monitor the progress of the previous spreadsheet.

Meanwhile, someone else is sitting quietly, thinking.

Oh dear.

No frantic typing. No dramatic sighing. No public announcement about having seventeen things to do before lunch.

Just sitting there.

Thinking.

Is that even allowed during working hours?

But don't worry. If things seem suspiciously calm, someone further up the organisational ladder will soon put that right.

Usually with an email.

Marked urgent.

Sent on Friday afternoon.

About something that could have been organised six months ago.

Apparently, a project that has existed for three years has suddenly developed a deadline of next Tuesday.

How exciting.

And because someone has acquired a slightly more impressive job title, their failure to plan has now become your opportunity to demonstrate flexibility.

You already have a full workload?

Excellent. You're clearly very organised.

Here's some more.

Naturally, you make the mistake of asking a perfectly reasonable question.

Why has this been left until the last minute?

The response is reassuring.

“It's just adding a few things to the spreadsheets. Nothing major.”

Ah.

Just.

Such a hardworking little word.

It can turn three years of information into a quick administrative task.

It can make an entire afternoon disappear without officially taking any time at all.

And it can transform someone else's poor planning into your inability to manage priorities.

All with four letters.

Impressive.

Of course, it is a small task.

For the person who isn't doing it.

For the person who doesn't have to check the information, correct the errors, reconcile the missing records or explain why the final result doesn't meet the standard everyone suddenly expects.

Three years of work.

A few months to sort it out.

And a cheerful reminder that it shouldn't take long.

Wonderful.

Perhaps we should introduce a new management principle:

The less you understand about a task, the more confidently you should estimate how long it takes.

Ideally, without consulting the person responsible for completing it.

That would only complicate matters.

And while we're here, let's talk about inclusion.

We do love inclusion.

It's in the policies. It's in the training. Occasionally, it's even in a colourful PowerPoint.

We recognise that people have different needs, strengths, working styles and capacities.

Until someone says a task is difficult.

Then, strangely, everyone is expected to find it equally easy.

Because if it's just a spreadsheet to you, surely it's just a spreadsheet to everyone.

Never mind the person already managing ten other responsibilities.

Never mind the person who needs time to process information properly.

Never mind the person who takes pride in accuracy rather than simply producing something that looks finished.

Apparently, inclusion is very important.

Provided it doesn't interfere with the deadline we forgot to plan for.

And should you question any of this, you may be reminded that everyone is busy.

Yes.

Especially now.

Funny how that happened.

Perhaps we need another spreadsheet.

One to record how much time is spent correcting problems that could have been avoided.

Another to track how many urgent tasks were actually urgent.

And a third to measure how often the words “it's just” are used by people who won't be doing the work.

We could present the findings at a meeting.

Preferably arranged at the last minute.

Because nothing demonstrates excellent leadership quite like turning your lack of planning into someone else's performance problem.

But do remember to remain positive.

We're an inclusive workplace, after all.

There's a PowerPoint to prove it.