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Procrastination, often perceived as a minor personal flaw, can have profound implications for business leaders and, by extension, their organizations.

While occasional delays are natural, procrastination among leaders can undermine decision-making, erode team morale, hinder growth, and damage reputations.

Leadership development consultant Andrew Leith, President of Octant Executive Advisory Group, says there are several reasons for a business leader to suddenly become a procrastinator.

“One is, ‘I’ve met my goals and I’m happy with where I’m at and have built my business to the point where I’m OK’. The second is something large has happened to impact the business – a financial issue - that has acted as a catalyst for that change. The other is sudden changes to people’s personal lives,” he says, noting the importance of having a level of transparency with employees when the business is being impacted. “Everything is two-sided coin. If I want to know what’s going on with my employees so I can better understand how to manage them, then my employees need to understand what’s going on with me so they can better manage me.”

Leaders set the tone for their organizations. When leaders procrastinate, it sends a message of uncertainty and lack of commitment, which can demoralize employees. Teams rely on clear guidance and decisive actions to stay motivated and aligned with organizational goals. Persistent delays can lead to confusion, decreased trust in leadership, and reduced overall productivity. Employees may become disengaged, feeling that their efforts are unsupported or undervalued, which can increase turnover rates and disrupt organizational stability.

Struggle to inspire and guide

“I feel like businesses are much like family tables. What do we share and what don’t we share? What are these things that we hold close to our chest and what are the things we allow our employees to know?” says Andrew. “I tend to come from the far side of that which is the more transparent you are, the more as a team and a family, you’re able to work through things.”

Chronic procrastination often leads to last-minute rushes to meet deadlines, which can increase stress levels for both leaders and their teams. This heightened stress can impair cognitive functions, reducing the quality of decisions and fostering a toxic work environment. Over time, the relentless pressure to compensate for delays can contribute to burnout, diminishing a leader’s effectiveness and potentially leading to absenteeism or resignation. A burnt-out leader may struggle to inspire and guide their team, further destabilizing the organization.

There are warning signs, says Andrew, indicating when there is an issue building within a business.

“When the people who didn’t have a voice, all of a sudden are vying for a voice, that’s when I find there’s some serious turmoil within a company,” he says, adding when employees satisfied with the status quo suddenly start asking questions or look of other jobs are clear indicators there is an issue. “It’s sort of like the canary in the coal mine. It’s usually because there’s some strategic decision being made or isn’t being made that is forcing people’s hands.”

A change in personal attitude among some trusted employees or even the business leader themselves, is another sign that could indicate that something is off.

Employees can lose faith in leader

“If for years, the office has had sort of an open culture where if you were a few minutes late it wasn’t a problem and now, all of a sudden, the owner is telling everyone to pull up their socks and do this and that, it’s often an indicator that it’s actually the owner that needs to pull up their socks. They’re hyper focusing on something to draw attention away from the fact people should probably be investigating what they (leaders) are doing.”

Andrew says using the services of an outside third party can also be a good way for business leader to get a handle on the source of their penchant for procrastination.

“If a leader doesn’t have the ability to be accountable for themselves, they need to create some form of support group,” he says. “Often times as leaders, it’s difficult for us to rely on internal resources because we want to be seen as the person in charge.”

Losing faith in leadership can impact employee retention, which in turn will affect the business.

“When the environment ceases to be fun, or ceases to be conducive to success, people are going to walk,” says Andrew.

Here’s some tips to overcome procrastination and boost productivity in business:

1. Understand the Root Causes

Identifying why you procrastinate is the first step to overcoming it. If fear of failure is the issue, reframe your mindset to see mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow. If perfectionism is holding you back, remind yourself that progress is better than perfection. Breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable parts can also reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and help you start working.

2. Set Clear and Achievable Goals

Vague or overly ambitious goals can lead to indecision and delay. Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set your goals. For example, instead of saying, “I need to finish the project,” break it down into smaller tasks like, “I will complete the first draft of the report by Tuesday.” Clear goals provide direction and a sense of accomplishment as you tick them off.

3. Eliminate Distractions

Identify and eliminate distractions in your work environment, whether it’s your phone, email notifications, or clutter. Set specific times to check emails and messages instead of constantly checking them throughout the day. Creating a dedicated workspace, even if it’s a small corner, can also help you mentally separate work from leisure, making it easier to focus.

4. Build Accountability

Share your goals and deadlines with a colleague, mentor, or friend who can check in on your progress. Knowing that someone else is aware of your commitments can provide the extra push you need to stay on track. Additionally, consider using tools like project management software to track your tasks and deadlines, making it easier to stay accountable to yourself.

5. Practice Self-Compassion

Procrastination is a common human experience and beating yourself up over it can create a cycle of guilt and avoidance. Instead, acknowledge the challenge, forgive yourself, and refocus on your goals. Celebrate small wins along the way to build momentum and maintain a positive attitude toward your work.