Coaching is supported QII time
One of the things you hear us talk about a lot at the KU PMC is QII Time. This concept comes from Stephen R. Covey’s First Things First, and is a primary success factor for organizations (and individuals) who prioritize it. But what exactly is it, and how do you put it first?
What is QII Time?
QII time involves important, but not immediately urgent items. Since they’re not urgent, it seems like they can wait just a little longer. Things like:
- planning for the future,
- spending time growing ourselves and others.
According to Covey, we’re great at jumping in right away to get the QI work done:
- putting out the fire,
- addressing the emergency.
After that, we are routinely drawn to do the QIII things:
- tasks that others think are urgent, but may not actually be important to us.
And then, believe it or not, before we can focus on what actually IS important, we tend to drift towards mindless escape-like activities in QIV.
But when QII is ignored or indefinitely delayed, it actually creates stress and crises in QI.
Putting First Things First
One way we can ensure QII time is prioritized is to schedule it! In January at the KU PMC, our director asked us to designate Mondays for QII time. That means we meet with each other to brainstorm and dream and plan rather than simply keep the QI wheel churning. Only two months in, we’ve already gotten to know and appreciate each other more, AND we even have some cool new ideas to try as smart experiments.
Another way to prioritize QII time is to work with a coach! Coaching provides a regularly scheduled time to step outside the routine of your QI tasks with supported focus on your own development and growth.
“My coach created a supportive and insightful space that helped me see challenges differently and move forward with confidence.”
“Coaching helped me uncover my own blind spots and develop solutions that are authentic to my style and way of thinking. Rather than being handed an answer, I was guided to discover one that genuinely fits me.”
If you would like to experience the power of supported QII time, your “first thing first” is to set up an intro call with me! Hope to talk to you soon.
Assistant Director of Consulting and Coaching Services
KU Public Management Center