29 October 2005
The Leadership of Managing Time
Roger NadeauBeethoven once said, “Man has no nobler or more valuable possession than time…” Your Business Blogger was reminded of this yesterday. Major General Roger A. Nadeau gave a briefing on his portfolio to business leaders. I asked him his greatest challenge in running a large organization:
Managing time. The time to put resources to where my poeple need them — or me…My office is BWI Airport.
Nadeau is the Commanding General, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. Nadeau runs, or today, flys to the sound of the guns. General Nadeau was an Armor Officer, before general’s stars removed branch designations.
He manages by ‘walking (or flying) around.’ What was impressive was not his modeling the Army’s new stylish combat fatigues, pictured above. It was his emphasis on generating discretionary management time to visit, to counsel, to lead, face-to-face. He manages to make time to do this. He commands and controls his own time.
Ludwig van Beethoven by
Joseph Karl Stieler (1820)Beethoven’s quote continues, “…never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” The Army gets it right: Proper management of time can give anyone more of the music of this “valuable possession.”
This is your most valuable asset: discretionary time
Bookmark this site to learn more on getting these time skills.
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Thank you (foot)notes:
Mudville Gazette has Open Post.
Common Sense Runs Wild has trackbacks.
Yes, this was very helpful. I especially enjoyed your tie in with Beethoven…my husband is a music composer so these things stand out to me
Stacy, as you know, Beethoven has a number of terrific quotes and life examples that can be used as learning tools for training discipline even (especially!) these days.
Thanks for stopping by,
Jack
Hi Jack,
You’re welcome…but actually I really know nothing about Beethoven except the basic songs everyone knows. However, now I want to know more.
Have a great Monday!