There is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all. - Peter Drucker

Good executives focus on opportunities rather than problems. Problems have to be taken care of, of course; they must not be swept under the rug. But problem solving, however necessary, does not produce results. It prevents damage. Exploiting opportunities produces results.

Once a year ask the boss, "What do I or my people do that helps you to do your job?" and "What do I or my people do that hampers you?"

If there is any one “secret” of effectiveness, it is concentration. Effective executives do first things first and they do one thing at a time.