CEOs must be strategic about how they allocate their limited time. Time spent on low-impact tasks—such as micromanaging or unnecessary meetings—could be better used on bigger-picture tasks like strategic planning or partnership development.
Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members share some areas where they believe CEOs can stop wasting their energy. By focusing on high-impact activities, you can make the most of your time and drive organizational growth.
1. Administrative Work
As the pace of change in business continues to increase, CEOs need to spend more time thinking about how those changes affect their businesses and what to do about them. To do so, CEOs who are still working outside their unique ability—especially those doing administrative work—need to find someone else to do that work. – Rob Levin, WorkBetterNow
2. Standing Meetings
No one is printing time, so it’s essential we make the most of it. When I look at my calendar, I see standing meetings as an easy target to eliminate to free up more time. I’m beginning to experiment with more streamlined, “quick hit” 15-minute meetings at the start of each day that are focused on pressing issues and decision points across our 22 time zones. – Jamey Butcher, Chemonics International
3. Clients That Don’t Align With The Core Vision
In 2025, CEOs should focus less on audiences that don’t align with their core vision. Pursuing broader clientele for quick wins often dilutes brand identity and wastes resources. Instead, concentrating on ideal clients fosters loyalty and a better understanding of their needs. This targeted approach optimizes marketing, enhances satisfaction and builds lasting relationships for sustainable growth. – Janet Linly, Marge Carson Global
4. Details
CEOs in 2025 should spend less time on detailed items. Even though these items are important, those closer to the task should be able to review and approve them. Micromanaging takes up a lot of time. Leaders should focus on strategy and big-picture decisions, trusting their teams to handle the details effectively. – Albert Crawford, BHG Financial
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5. Unfocused Meetings
The CEO’s calendar should not be bogged down by endless, unfocused meetings. Too often, executive teams meet to discuss what could’ve been addressed via Slack, Whatsapp or Teams or solved by empowered, collaborative teams. These high-value discussions should be preserved for strategic planning, team-building and navigating critical challenges that relate to innovation and growth. – Tom Wicky, MyFBAPrep
6. Hiring A Singular Social Media Manager
The biggest waste of a CEO’s time in 2025 is hiring social media managers. You need a content team, an account manager, a paid ads team and an influencer coordinator. The idea of hiring a social media manager and expecting them to do all of these things is nearly a decade old, and it’s a waste of your efforts and your company’s time. – Dan Pessin, DAP Media
7. Resisting Remote Work Trends
In 2025, CEOs should waste less time resisting remote work trends. Clinging to traditional office setups can limit talent acquisition and diminish employee satisfaction. Embracing flexible work models not only broadens the talent pool but also enhances productivity and innovation. – Daniel Pena, DevSavant Inc.
8. Micromanaging
One activity CEOs should waste less time on in 2025 is micromanaging. As companies grow and become more complex, it’s crucial for CEOs to delegate effectively and trust their teams to handle day-to-day operations. Micromanaging not only consumes valuable time but also stifles innovation and demotivates employees. – Liliana Bernal, Balanced Diversity
9. Operational Tasks
A CEO’s primary role is to envision the future of the company and guide its strategic direction. While operational tasks are important, CEOs should trust their teams to execute these responsibilities effectively. Let your team lead, even if they make mistakes. By focusing on long-term goals and trusting your team, CEOs can create a sustainable and successful future for the company. – Joseph Edgar, SnapAds
10. Excessive Email Communication And Meetings
In 2025, CEOs, and all management for that matter, need to reduce the number of meetings and email communication that spiked during Covid and hasn’t seemingly calmed down. Set clear goals and responsibilities for your team and empower them to do their jobs. If they can’t do it without continued hand-holding, focus on training or replacement. – Todd Marks, Mindgrub Technologies LLC
11. Delegatable Tasks
CEOs should not spend so much time on anything they can delegate. Delegation is the key to freeing up time and being successful. Taking a look often and getting out of the day-to-day tasks makes CEOs succeed. Every quarter, I try to take a look and ask myself, “What else can I delegate?” – Kimberly Afonso, The KA Consulting Group
12. Unclear Organizational Priorities
A lesson I learned in my first year as DeVry’s President and CEO is the importance of creating intense focus on a few critical priorities rather than spreading efforts too thin. Being clear on organizational priorities across all levels ensures alignment and maximizes impact. Simplifying goals and ensuring everyone is focused on the same objectives will drive greater progress and overall success. – Elise Awwad, DeVry University
13. Excessive Planning
CEOs should waste less time on excessive planning. While it is essential, overthinking leads to analysis paralysis, delayed decisions and missed opportunities. CEOs must focus on doing, not debating in boardrooms. Bold actions and calculated risks drive progress and innovation faster than waiting for the perfect plan to emerge, which rarely does. Move swiftly, adjust as needed and act decisively. – Howard Makler, Innovation Refunds
14. Menial Tasks
CEOs should spend less time on simple, menial tasks that can be automated using AI. By leveraging AI to handle routine jobs—such as data analysis, scheduling or customer queries—CEOs can free up valuable time to focus on strategic growth, innovation and improving efficiency. Embracing AI not only enhances productivity but also allows leaders to allocate energy toward making impactful decisions. – Padmakumar Nair, Ennoventure Inc.
15. Research Projects
CEOs should spend less time waiting for staff to complete research projects. Whereas we used to task executive assistants or marketing team members with research on macro or micro topics, AI can now deliver strong briefings in seconds. It’s game-changing and should speed up the rate of C-suite decision making. – Jonathan Treble, WithMe, Inc.
16. Excessive Micromanagement
In 2025, CEOs should consider wasting less time on excessive micromanagement. As organizations increasingly adopt flexible work models and rely on diverse teams, micromanagement can stifle innovation and employee morale. Instead, CEOs should prioritize empowering their teams by fostering a culture of autonomy and accountability. – Somdutta Singh, Assiduus Global
17. Perfect Decision Making
In 2025, CEOs should waste less time on micromanagement and chasing perfection in decision making, as both tendencies slow progress and stifle innovation. In today’s fast-paced environment, waiting for perfect decisions or controlling every detail limits a company’s ability to adapt quickly to change. Instead, fostering a culture of empowerment and agility will lead to more effective outcomes. – Marco Gam, Conmedia ApS
18. Personal Reputation
CEOs should think less about their own reputation and focus on the longevity of their organizations. While self-belief and ego are essential to propel companies forward, current market sentiment suggests that customers and employees are increasingly left out of the picture. A new type of leadership is emerging that is human-centric and more long term. – Nuala Walsh, MindEquity
19. Small Things
Try not to focus on the small things that others are hired to do. CEOs should be focusing their energy working on the business as opposed to working in the business. CEOs should be focusing their energy on the business and figuring out various ways to grow the business. – Jordan DeBrincat Mintzas, Altree Developments
20. Daily Operations
CEOs should focus less on daily operations in 2025. Their strategic role demands long-term vision and innovation. Delegating tasks to capable leaders frees them to concentrate on activities that impact the company’s future. – Nitin Gupta, QRCodeChimp
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