--- title: "Daily Buzz: Take Back Your Time" id: "43357" type: "post" slug: "daily-buzz-take-back-your-time" published_at: "2018-07-18T22:07:08+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T22:21:49+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/07/18/daily-buzz-take-back-your-time/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/07/18/daily-buzz-take-back-your-time.md" excerpt: "A leader’s attention is in constant demand, but you can’t be everywhere at once. Here are four ways to gain back some of your time. Also: Looking for community inspiration? This new database might help." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "C-suite" - "Leadership" - "mentoring" - "Time Management" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Daily Buzz: Take Back Your Time Leadership can often be a study in contrast. On one hand, you need the time and the distance to strategize on big ideas that move the organization forward. But, on the other hand, your team wants your personal mentorship and input on day-to-day activities. How do you strike the right balance? *Harvard Business Review* shares [four strategies to protect (opens in a new tab)](https://hbr.org/2018/07/4-ways-leaders-can-protect-their-time-and-empower-their-teams) your time while also letting your team know that you’re there for them. One tactic to try is mentoring in hindsight by allowing employees to learn from their own success and failures and debrief with them later. “Try opening scheduled discussions with staff by saying, ‘What problems or challenges did you face this week, and how did you deal with them? … And how well did that work out for you?’” suggests Maura Thomas. This may be difficult for some, but closing your “open door policy” will also help preserve some of your time. “Instead, reliably dedicate time on your calendar every week for each of your direct reports,” she says. ### New Community Resource > Today we’re launching a database where you can explore 1300+ examples of successful brand communities and share your own efforts.[https://t.co/FzTwPODKvt (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/FzTwPODKvt) > [#cmgr (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/cmgr?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#esn (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/esn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — Richard Millington (@RichMillington) [July 18, 2018 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/RichMillington/status/1019610929552592896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Do you ever wonder what’s going on in other online communities?** Feverbee [launched a new database (opens in a new tab)](https://www.feverbee.com/community-database/) that allows you to search 1,300-plus brand communities. “Many people work in isolated silos with no ability to see what others like themselves are working on,” says the Feverbee site. “For the past 18 months, we’ve been gathering data, cleaning data, and working to find a way to display the best brand communities on the web.” ### Other Links of Note **The right image can compel people to act.** The Bloomerang blog shares four ways to [make your group’s photography stand out (opens in a new tab)](https://bloomerang.co/blog/4-ways-to-make-your-nonprofits-photography-stand-out/) . **Content marketing, with books.** The tech-savvy payment processor Stripe opened its own book imprint, publishing [books about technology and economics (opens in a new tab)](https://press.stripe.com/) . **Do you over-rely on one person** to come up with your group’s creative ideas? *AdWeek* shares ways to make your [ideation process more efficient (opens in a new tab)](https://www.adweek.com/creativity/how-to-stop-relying-on-a-creative-genius-and-instead-populate-a-range-of-fresh-ideas/) . (from2015/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Raegan Johnson](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Raegan Johnson is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Tags: [#C-suite](https://associationsnow.com/tag/c-suite/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#mentoring](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mentoring/) [#Time Management](https://associationsnow.com/tag/time-management/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastWhy AI Certification Matters for Association LeadersFebruary 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/02/26/why-ai-certification-matters-for-association-leaders/) - [VideoSmarter Board Management for Associations: An OnBoard ShowcaseJuly 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/24/smarter-board-management-for-associations-an-onboard-showcase/) - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) - [VideoProductivity tip: Finish one task before starting anotherJanuary 3, 2017](https://associationsnow.com/2017/01/03/productivity-tip-finish-one-task-before-starting-another/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F07%2F18%2Fdaily-buzz-take-back-your-time%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !