Book club: Why being (or looking) busy became a status symbol

Being permanently occupied at work does not always equate to being effective, according to Dr Denis Cronson, a physician and executive health strategist. He argues that corporate culture has blurred the line between being busy and being productive, as work has become more immediate and visible due to technology. Cronson suggests that being needed all the time, as exemplified by executives with packed schedules, can actually indicate poor delegation, weak boundaries, or an organization that is overly reliant on one individual.

While being in demand may seem like proof of importance and leadership status, it can also be a sign of weak organizational resilience. Cronson points out that societies would typically view a system lacking spare capacity as vulnerable, yet this is often admired in business leadership. The availability of smartphones, messaging platforms, and remote working has further blurred the distinction between being busy and being productive.

Cronson warns that responsiveness can become a reinforcement cycle, with notifications reinforcing the belief that one is needed and relevant. This can create a neurochemical loop that makes responsiveness feel like productivity and interruption feel like importance. However, Cronson distinguishes between genuine periods of intense workload, such as a major business crisis, and living in a constant state of crisis.

He suggests that if every month is a crisis, if a leader cannot delegate, or if an empty hour makes them anxious, then the workload may not be the primary issue. Instead, it becomes a concern about the organization's ability to function without the executive. Cronson urges businesses to reconsider their perspective on executives who cannot disconnect.

He argues that celebrating a chief executive who cannot take time off sends the message that the organization cannot operate without them, which highlights delegation and resilience issues. Instead, businesses should strive to foster sustainable high performance by helping executives maintain their judgment, health, and capacity to produce results over time.