Siemens CEO gets 200 mails but keeps inbox below 100

Siemens CEO Roland Busch has found a unique solution to tackle two common corporate challenges: an overflowing inbox and a calendar packed with meetings. The 61-year-old executive aims to keep his email inbox below 100 messages and avoids scheduling recurring meetings with his direct reports, as reported by Business Insider.

Busch, who has been with Siemens for 32 years, leads a global technology business with over 300,000 employees. He covers areas such as industrial automation, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. In a conversation with Business Insider, Busch shared his routines to stay on top of his demanding job.

Each day, Busch receives approximately 200 emails, but he actively works to prevent the number of messages in his inbox from growing unchecked. His personal goal is to maintain the inbox below 100 messages, as subscribing to this limit makes it easier to discern what truly requires attention. He achieves this by responding quickly and keeping his messages concise, often replying with just two letters like "OK" or "No."

In meetings, Busch takes a different approach than most CEOs. Instead of scheduling regular meetings with his direct reports, he encourages them to seek his input when needed. This could mean multiple meetings in a single week or no meetings for a month, depending on the situation. Busch emphasizes that he does not want meetings to occur merely because they are on the calendar; rather, they should serve a clear purpose.

Busch's background in theoretical physics has shaped his decision-making process. He believes that physics taught him to break down complex problems and isolate the essential factors from less important details. This approach is particularly valuable for a CEO, as it helps in making critical decisions even when complete information is unavailable. Rather than trying to process every detail simultaneously, Busch zeroes in on the key elements of a problem.

Busch's mornings are dedicated to exercise. He typically begins around 6 a.m. and reaches the gym by 6:30 a.m. His workout routine lasts between 75 and 90 minutes, combining weightlifting with high-intensity exercises such as boxing and jump rope. After the workout, Busch often shares breakfast with his team and uses this time to read press coverage and check his emails.

To stay organized, Busch has embraced a paperless office environment, utilizing digital tools instead of traditional paper documents. His afternoons are often filled with back-to-back meetings, leaving little time between them. Lunch is usually light, and he continues working through his packed schedule.

Busch credits his assistant, Gundula, with helping manage his demanding calendar over the years. Despite extensive travel for work, Busch maintains his routine. On westbound flights, he tries to stay awake or limit his sleep to a short nap, allowing himself to sleep at night upon arrival. When traveling east, he opts for night flights and attempts to sleep during the journey.

Exercise remains a consistent part of his routine, with him using any available time between landing and his first meeting to shower and visit the hotel gym.

Evenings may involve dinner meetings with customers, partners, or team members, with some dinners focusing on personal matters and broader discussions about the world. Busch also responds to emails, prepares for the next day, and communicates with teams across different time zones. To unwind, he occasionally plays the guitar, which helps him shift his focus away from work.

Despite his demanding schedule, Busch makes an effort to spend weekends with his family and friends. He and his wife sometimes meet friends for dinner, play golf, or travel together. His close friends, some of whom live in China, occasionally arrange trips to meet in various locations. For Busch, maintaining these relationships is crucial, as he recognizes that neglecting them can lead to their fading.

Busch's work schedule is thus less about doing everything and more about deciding what deserves his attention.