I Don’t Have the Time | Episode 010

In Episode 10, John Graci dismantles one of the most common and costly phrases leaders use:

“I don’t have the time.”

Whether you’re a supervisor, HR professional, or anyone influencing people, this episode reveals a truth many leaders avoid: “I don’t have time” is almost never about time; it’s about choice.

John opens by challenging leaders to reflect: Are you being impacted by your work environment, or are you impacting it? Every decision a leader makes, big or small, ripples across the team. Leadership is influence, and influence comes from the choices you make daily.

John recounts a coaching session where he asked a leader to give just one compliment during the week. The leader returned, saying he “didn’t have the time,” despite working 55+ hours. To illustrate the point, John demonstrated how long recognition actually takes: 10 seconds. Leaders aren’t too busy; they’re choosing not to make recognition a priority. And that choice comes with consequences.

John reminds us that intentional leadership is about deciding what matters most. Just as he pre-planned household responsibilities so he could enjoy a fall weekend guilt-free, leaders must proactively choose the behaviors that move their teams forward, not just the ones that keep them busy.

Major takeaways from this episode:

• “I don’t have the time” often means “I didn’t choose to make time.”
• Recognition is one of the smallest time investments with the biggest payoff.
• Leaders must reflect on whether their daily choices align with their values.
• Withholding praise has ripple effects: decreased motivation, lower performance, and lost trust.
• Small, intentional actions, like a 10-second compliment, shape culture and engagement.
• Leadership is the sum of your choices, not the hours on your timesheet.

Resources & Links:

• John's Digital Courses for Team Leads, Managers, and Supervisors
• John's Website
• Connect with John on Linkedin

If you’re a leader, HR professional, or manager looking for no-nonsense strategies to keep your team engaged and high-performing, this episode is packed with insights you can use right away.