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Time Management: Who’s Got the Monkey?

Manager Control Tool for Workload & Delegation

THE CORE PROBLEM

When time is limited, you may become stressed, anxious, and frustrated, and this can affect your team.
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This often happens because you take on problems that are not yours→ also known as “monkeys” (other people’s responsibilities)

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What Is a “Monkey”

A monkey = a problem or task

 When this happens, you take on subordinate-imposed time

It starts on a team member’s back
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It transfers to you when you say: ​
“I’ll take care of it”​
“I’ll get back to you”
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The Result

  • You run out of time

  • Your team runs out of responsibility

  • Stress and frustration increase

  • You become a bottleneck

WHAT YOU WILL DO AS A MANAGER

1 Keep the Monkey with the Right Person

  • Do not automatically take on problems
  • Ensure the team member keeps responsibility

2 Define the Next Move

  • Clarify:  What is the next step?  Who is responsible?

3 Set Follow-Up by Appointment

  • Agree on a specific time to check progress

  • Avoid vague follow-ups

4 Require Initiative

  Encourage team members to: 

  • Recommend action

  • ​Take action and report

If you take the monkey, you lose control of your time.


If you manage the monkey, you build accountability, efficiency, and a stronger team

REFERENCES

Oncken, W., & Wass, D (1999). Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey? Harvard Business Review. 

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