Tim Cook leads one of the most successful companies in the world. With a simple principle, he achieves more than others and makes Apple more productive as a result.
Some people tend to immerse themselves in too many different tasks at once. This leads to losing track and makes it feel like nothing is accomplished during a workday.
To counter this accumulation of tasks, for which one is not the ideal workforce at all, there is a simple trick. One focuses on the things that only they can handle and delegates all other tasks in parallel. Tim Cook demonstrates how Apple becomes more productive as a result.
The “Only You” principle saves a lot of time and energy
What does the “Only You” principle mean? This principle is about focusing only on specific activities. These include all tasks that can only be accomplished by oneself because one possesses the required skills.
For a high executive at Apple like Tim Cook, this means limiting oneself to tasks that involve strategic decisions regarding the company’s direction. Those are his strengths and he has the necessary knowledge for that.
All tasks that can be handled just as well or even better by someone else in the company are delegated by Cook. He mentioned Apple’s product designers as an example.
Their specific activities can only be performed best by them. For this reason, he trusts these Apple employees. He understands that design is an important part of the company. However, he does not manage or determine this down to the last detail.
Why is this trick so effective? At first, one might believe that less would be accomplished. One delegates tasks and does not take on new ones in return. In reality, one now has more time for tasks that can only be performed by oneself.
This leads to more focus because one no longer has to worry about completing the delegated tasks. One becomes more effective in handling their own tasks and simply has more energy for them.
The other tasks should not ideally be passed on to just anyone. In the best case, these things will be handled in the future by someone who is more effective at them than oneself and the colleagues. Then, the productivity of everyone increases.
Can everyone apply the “Only You” principle? Yes, generally, but it obviously also depends on the profession one is in. Additionally, there is the working style. Is one the only person in their position or do they work in a larger team?
If one wishes to delegate some of their tasks to colleagues, it may also be necessary to discuss it with their own supervisor. This way, the supervisor might also come to the idea of focusing on their own strengths.
Tim Cook has stepped into big shoes as Steve Jobs’ successor. But unlike his predecessor, he does not visit Apple designers daily to invest his own time in their work. However, without Steve Jobs’ ambition, Apple would not be one of the most successful companies in the world today: Steve Jobs earned only $1 in annual salary when he returned to Apple – 8 facts about the Apple founder
Our cover image is a symbolic representation.
