How can the Eisenhower Matrix help you manage your time as a supervisor?

1 What is the Eisenhower Matrix?

The Eisenhower Matrix is a time management tool that was inspired by the quote of former US president Dwight D. Eisenhower: "What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important." This matrix categorizes tasks into four groups based on two criteria: urgency and importance. Urgency indicates how soon a task needs to be done, while importance focuses on how much a task contributes to your goals and values. The four categories are: urgent and important, not urgent but important, urgent but not important, and not urgent and not important. Tasks that require immediate attention and have significant consequences if not done are considered urgent and important. Examples include dealing with emergencies, meeting deadlines, or resolving conflicts. Not urgent but important tasks help achieve long-term goals and have positive outcomes if done. Examples include planning, strategizing, learning, or building relationships. Urgent but not important tasks demand time but have little impact on results. Examples are answering emails, phone calls, or requests from others. Finally, not urgent and not important tasks waste time and have no value for your goals. Examples are browsing social media, watching TV, or doing busywork.

2 How to use the Eisenhower Matrix?

Using the Eisenhower Matrix requires listing all tasks and assigning them to one of the four categories. You can use paper, a spreadsheet, or an app to create your matrix. For tasks that are urgent and important, do them first and as soon as possible. These should be your top priority and you should focus on them until they are done. For tasks that are not urgent but important, schedule them for later and allocate enough time for them. These are your second priority and you should work on them regularly and consistently. For tasks that are urgent but not important, delegate them to others or minimize them as much as possible. These are your third priority and you should avoid or limit them if they distract you from your important tasks. Lastly, for tasks that are not urgent and not important, eliminate them completely or do them only in your spare time. These are your lowest priority and you should ignore or reject them if they interfere with your productivity or well-being.

3 How can the Eisenhower Matrix benefit you as a supervisor?

The Eisenhower Matrix can be very beneficial for supervisors in numerous ways. It can help clarify goals and values, reduce stress, increase efficiency, improve decision-making and problem-solving skills, and enhance leadership and communication skills. By aligning tasks with goals and values, managing urgencies and emergencies, prioritizing and organizing tasks, applying criteria and logic to tasks, delegating and negotiating tasks, supervisors can focus on what matters most, prevent or solve problems, optimize time and resources, make smarter and faster choices, empower and motivate their team and stakeholders, as well as build trust and rapport.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?