Inside The Edge
About
The DeVenney Code
Enjoy the unraveling of the business world's deepest darkest secrets from the comfort of your desk with “The DeVenney Code”. Michael’s opinions on both major and less covered business topics can be enlightening, refreshing, and humorous. Gain some perspective on topics that you may have never considered before, and challenge yourself to consistently “think outside the box”.
“The DeVenney Code” is your way to the inside scoop.
A Few Extra Hours
Should you work the extra hours? How much is enough? Or too much? I have the privilege to talk and work with hundreds of senior leaders and also to be part of the discussion on selecting high-potential talent to invest in developing for career progress. One thing that is common everywhere in terms of successful executives – working more than the prescribed 40-hour workweek. Last week, I heard someone say they would not work the extra hours – the regular hours were enough. My response – that is why you are where you are and no further. I know … I know. It is not politically correct to talk about working longer hours. It is very “competitive Baby Boomer” of me to say it. I am showing my age. We all need the rest and rejuvenation that comes from our balanced lives and we want to ensure all our life buckets are full and blah blah blah. I am not encouraging being a workaholic. I have been there and done that and not going to do it again. But – and it is a big but – you have to work more than 40 hours each week to achieve the success you want. Studies show that on average 48 hours each week is needed on average to be a successful executive or professional. It still leaves time to be rested and relaxed. When I am working with leaders assessing up and coming people – regardless of age – what is invariably mentioned is the ability to put in the extra effort, to make the additional investment of time, and to put in the hours to build value and expertise. During the pressure of meeting project deadlines and meeting targets and someone says, “I’m coming back in tonight to get things up to where they should be so we are ahead” my heart warms a little. The world may be more balanced but it is also more competitive. If you want to move up the ladder, you need to be willing to invest in extra hours –and to be seen putting them in. How can you expect your team to invest their time and energy when it is needed if you don’t invest it yourself? Work smart but also work the extra hours to learn, volunteer, and do the value-added projects that will build your expertise and contribution. Use the extra hours to be planned and proactive in your work so you can actually have time to think and show greater judgment. You don’t have to be a martyr – or take loads of work home every night or weekend. I am not suggesting to ignore your loved ones or to put off a vacation or to drown yourself in your work. I am suggesting that investing 5 to 8 extra hours a week in adding value to your work will pay big dividends – and dividends that increase over time. If you find yourself having to work extra hours just to keep up with your regular work – there is a problem. If you are working more than 54 hours each week, you may have a little obsession starting and need some help. Putting in 5 to 8 hours of smart extra hours each week will separate you from the pack and put you where you want to be. Just my opinion… |