What Should a CEO Never Be Doing Themselves?
The Hidden Cost of Doing It All
Many CEOs pride themselves on staying involved. But involvement and execution are not the same.
Every hour spent on low-leverage tasks is an hour not spent on:
- Vision
- Strategy
- Talent development
- Revenue growth
The question isn’t whether you can do the task. It’s whether you should.
Tasks CEOs Should Delegate Early
1. Scheduling and Inbox Management
These tasks consume time without requiring strategic thinking.
2. Travel Coordination
Execution work that doesn’t require executive judgment.
3. Data Entry and Administrative Follow-Up
Operational tasks that dilute focus.
4. Basic Research and Document Formatting
Important—but not executive-level work.
Why Leaders Hold On Too Long
Common reasons include:
- Fear of mistakes
- Desire for control
- Habit
- Lack of documented systems
These are solvable through structure.
What CEOs Should Be Doing Instead
High-leverage CEO work includes:
- Strategic planning
- Relationship building
- Key hiring decisions
- Revenue-driving conversations
- Culture development
Delegation protects these priorities.
The Bottom Line
If a task does not require executive judgment, it likely should not sit on a CEO’s plate. Delegation isn’t indulgence—it’s leadership discipline.