Effectiveness > Efficiency

How to stop doing more and start making it matter.

Hey rockstar (yes, you),

Let me hold your hand gently as I say this:

👉 Being efficient at your job is not enough.

Efficiency is about speed. Effectiveness is about impact.

I’ve been working for 12 years and leading teams for 7, so trust me - I’ve seen it all. I’ve been:

• the junior associate who couldn’t articulate her work to her manager,

• the manager who didn’t know how to delegate,

• the middle manager who struggled to understand her boss.

And now, as a coach, I’ve spoken with many professionals who are exhausted, overwhelmed, and convinced they’re giving their all - but not getting the recognition they deserve.

They show up early. They stay late. Their to-do list never ends.

Yet when it’s time for promotions, recognition, or even being appreciated, they get overlooked.

Why? Because they’re speaking the wrong corporate lingo.

They’re putting their heads down to get activities done. But activity is not the same as effectiveness.

So what does effective work actually look like?

1. Prioritization with Impact in Mind: Choose the 2–3 things that truly move the needle (for your manager, team, or company goals) and deprioritize the rest. Efficiency is clearing your list; effectiveness is making sure what’s on your list actually matters.

2. Boundaries that protect your Value: Say “no” to busywork that adds no real impact, and set realistic timelines instead of overpromising. Effectiveness often comes from doing less but making it count.

3. Energy Management: Protect yourself from burnout, because a tired you can’t deliver a powerful you. Effectiveness requires consistency, not intensity.

4. Clarity in Communication: Speak and write in ways that are easy to understand (the first time). Share blockers early, give updates before people chase you, and reduce the cycle of rework.

5. Feedback Retention + Presence: Speaking of rework, be the person who listens deeply, applies feedback, and remembers it. Few things slow progress like repeating the same mistakes or making others repeat themselves. Being present enough to absorb and act on what’s said shows respect, sharpens trust, and saves everyone time.

6. Visibility through Relationships + Sharing wins: Make sure your contributions are seen, not just done. Build strong relationships, and make your work visible: share updates, document outcomes, and showcase wins. Trust me, you’re building trust and influence. Visibility isn’t bragging - it’s impact management.

This last one is where many people (myself included) fall short.

Over the years, I’ve learned to choose effectiveness over efficiency.

The mindset shift is simple: Rethink your work by focusing on outcomes, not just activities and make those outcomes visible.

For example: I set up Slack automations for a division I manage. So whenever there’s a won deal or closed partnership, an automated message goes out, and everyone sees it - not just my team.

Tiny tweaks like this make a huge difference, especially in remote teams where impressions are formed in the spaces people actually see you.

So if there’s one thing you take away from this, let it be this:

👉 Look up. Lift your head every so often. Don’t just swim hard - swim smart, so you can actually move in the direction that helps you grow.

And sometimes, that shift starts with one simple question:

“What’s the one thing I can do today that will still matter tomorrow?”

If you start asking yourself that every day, I promise - you’ll see the difference.

Speaking about Making a Difference:

💬 Join me in October for an AMA (Ask Me Anything) - all about effectiveness, visibility, toxic workspaces, office politics, and thriving at work. Bring your real, unfiltered questions, and let’s work through them together.

It’s not enough to survive at work. You deserve to thrive - to be seen, valued, and rewarded for your contributions.

Mark your calendar, come ready. I’ll be there with lessons, tools, and truths to help you stop just going to work and start truly enjoying your work.

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🎨 This Week’s Growth Mix - Resources to help you be more effective (not just efficient):

• 📖 How to get the most out of one-one-ones with your boss → Strategies to turn your 1:1s into career-boosting conversations, not just status updates.

• 📖 How to hold effective one-on-ones as a manager → A framework to make your 1:1s valuable, supportive, and trust-building for your team.

• 📖 The introvert's guide to being more visible at work → Practical tips for showcasing your contributions without feeling forced or inauthentic.

• 🎧 My recommended playlist for working slow and easy → On the days my brain feels scattered, this playlist helps me pace myself, get into flow, and still get things done without the rush.