Driven by Time: Time Orientation and Leadership

Organizations consist of people with different orientations toward time. Each type of person makes his or her own contribution and has unique limitations. The most effective leaders understand and recognize the differences in the way people feel and think about time and use them in constructive ways. Literally, they have good timing. This book explains the concept of temporal alignment and explores ways to enhance one's skills based on a solid understanding of this important component of leadership.

Time matters to leaders. They worry about the past, present, and future, but most lean heavily in one direction, becoming past-, present-, or future-oriented. This bias is associated with strengths that we can effectively use and weaknesses that can hinder us. Different situations require different time orientations. If we are aware of our time orientation or temporal alignment, we can begin to mind our time and grow attuned to the appropriate orientation for each situation. This book explains that when leaders develop an understanding of temporal alignment, they can accurately anticipate the alignment required by each circumstance and find ways to behave appropriately—even when the leader's personality does not fit the situation.