Managers Play Defense

As a manager, you must start thinking about “context switching” differently. To an engineer, it is one of the biggest enemies of productivity. As such, individual contributors must employ strategies to minimize distractions. As a manager, the focus must shift from personally avoiding context switching to protecting others from this productivity killer.

A good manager plays defensively for their team. They are an effective gatekeeper, controlling the flow of communications so that, except in the most urgent situations, they can be reviewed during natural breaks in the engineer’s day.

Meetings can also become a problem. They are likely the most complained-about productivity killer. Beyond the time that meetings occupy, there is also the time lost due to context switching. Some studies suggest it can take up to 15 minutes to mentally prepare before a meeting and almost a half hour to refocus on work afterward.

Scheduling meetings in blocks can save a lot of time that would otherwise be spent on mental recovery. I prefer to schedule meetings in 25 or 50-minute blocks so I can group meetings closer together, yet still provide my team with small breaks.

Of course, context switching can disrupt the flow of a manager’s day as well. But in many ways, it is part of the job description. The ability to focus on the most important and immediate needs as quickly as possible is an essential skill for a good manager. What makes a great manager is the ability to delegate urgent tasks in the least disruptive manner possible.