Question 9
How might a strategic thinker best approach accomplishing a long list of "to do's" facing him or her at the start of a work day?
Click the button next to the correct answer choice. After you have read the feedback, explore the other choices. Note: Your first selection will be used to tally your score.
Tackle the easiest items first so as to get rid of distractions and then focus more sharply on the most important activities and tasks
Not the best choice. Tackling easy tasks first is not the most strategic use of your time and energy. Instead, you need to identify and prioritize the critical tasks in your long list of "to do's"—those activities that will generate the most valuable results for your group and company. More peripheral items can be postponed, delegated, or even left undone if necessary, so you can focus your time and energy on strategically relevant activities.
Identify and schedule the most critical items on the list first, while delegating or leaving undone any peripheral items
Correct choice. By prioritizing your actions in this way, you keep your eye on the big picture—a key element of strategic thinking. All managers are busy and have many responsibilities. Part of being a strategic thinker is knowing how to identify and prioritize the critical tasks in your long list of "to do's"—those activities that will generate the most valuable results for your group and company. More peripheral items can be postponed, delegated, or even left undone if necessary, so you can focus your time and energy on strategically relevant activities.
Address all urgent responsibilities immediately, since these constitute the most important items on the list
Not the best choice. Tackling urgent tasks first is not the most strategic use of your time and energy, because some tasks are urgent but not important. Instead, you need to identify and prioritize the critical tasks in your long list of "to do's"—those activities that will generate the most valuable results for your group and company. More peripheral items can be postponed, delegated, or even left undone if necessary, so you can focus your time and energy on strategically relevant activities.