241: Thinking Like an Executive: Setting Priorities as an Executive

Have you ever wondered how executives spend their time? Early in our careers, it’s easy to assume they just sit in meetings and make decisions from the sidelines. But as you move up, you quickly realize that great leadership isn’t about doing individual tasks—it’s about setting the vision, making strategic decisions, and enabling your team to execute effectively. In today’s episode, I break down what high-performing executives actually spend their time on and how you can start thinking like one—whether you're an aspiring leader or already in an executive role.

 

I dive into:

• Why strategic thinking—not tactical execution—is the most valuable skill an executive can develop
• The strategic pause and how stepping back can empower your team to solve problems independently
• The key differences between strategy and tactics, with three essential questions to shift your mindset
• How to empower your team by delegating effectively, setting clear boundaries, and fostering autonomy
• Why many executives struggle with letting go of control, and practical steps to build trust in your team
• How to audit your time using the 30%-60%-10% rule to focus more on high-impact work and avoid burnout
• And more

 

**Useful links*

• If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy 
• Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode241
• Check us out on Youtube.
• Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.