What does time management have to do with a ladder?

Good teamwork is not just about ideas and goals. The key is how we talk to each other.

You can compare it to climbing a ladder — the higher we are, the better we listen, the faster we make decisions, and the more time we save. But if we’re stuck at the bottom, every conversation turns into chaos, meetings drag on forever, and little gets done.

First rung — no listening. Time slips through our fingers.

People sit in a meeting but their minds are elsewhere. Scrolling through phones, counting minutes until it’s over, or just waiting to leave. Zero engagement. The result? Another meeting is needed because nothing concrete was agreed upon.

Second rung — waiting for your turn.

Everyone focuses on what they want to say next. They’re half-listening. Meetings drag on because everyone keeps repeating the same things. It’s hard to draw conclusions, and decisions fade away.

Third rung — listening just to disagree.

Instead of a conversation, it turns into a battle of arguments. Everyone defends their position and waits to strike. Energy goes into proving a point, not finding solutions. Meetings are long, tiring, and unproductive.

Top rung — listening to understand.

And that’s where the magic happens. People truly listen, ask questions, and want to understand the other side. As a result, meetings are shorter, more focused, and end with clear decisions. No need to repeat or revisit topics. Work simply moves forward.

Good work organization starts with listening.

People talk a lot about time management, but the truth is that the biggest savings come from better quality conversations. The higher you are on that ladder, the fewer repetitions, misunderstandings, and unnecessary discussions.

It’s worth asking — on which rung of this ladder are you and your team?

What helps you climb — openness, asking questions, the ability to pause?

And what holds you down — rushing, pressure, the need to be right?

Your answers to these questions can make a big difference in how you work and the results you achieve.

Inspired by: “Coaching from A to Z and back again” by Bob Thomson, 2023