framework.

Credit: Dermot Crowley

Note: This post was drafted with the support of ChatGPT on 10 June 2025.

Summary:

Smart Work by Dermot Crowley is a productivity system designed to help busy professionals work with focus, clarity, and control. Unlike traditional time management methods that aim to squeeze more into the day, Crowley promotes working smarter, not harder, by mastering attention management, workflow systems, and prioritisation. Crowley’s approach is grounded in real-world organisational life—emails, meetings, competing priorities—and aims to help people reduce stress, increase effectiveness, and regain control of their workload Smart Work helps leaders move from reactive busyness to proactive control, allowing them to lead with clarity, reduce chaos, and focus on what really matters.

Concept detail:

• Productivity = Focus + Structure + Execution
• Attention is your most valuable resource—learn to protect and direct it.
• Workflow management is key: organise inputs, decisions, and actions logically.
• Email isn’t your job—it’s just part of it. Manage your inbox, don’t live in it.
• Prioritisation is dynamic, not fixed—review regularly, don’t just react.
• Technology should support clarity, not create distraction or clutter.

Real world application:

Lessons for leaders include:

• Protect Your Focus Time Relentlessly. Leaders must carve out uninterrupted time for deep thinking and strategic work.
• Lead by Example in Productivity Habits. Model smart email use, calendar control, and clear prioritisation to influence your team.
• Don’t Confuse Busyness with Effectiveness. A full calendar or inbox doesn’t mean you’re adding value. Focus on outcomes, not activity.
• Use Your Calendar as a Tactical Tool. Time-block important work, decision-making, and even thinking time. Don’t let others fill your day by default.
• Tame the Email Beast. Set specific times to check and respond to email. Avoid being reactive and distracted by your inbox.
• Clarify and Communicate Priorities Often. Help your team understand what matters most—today, this week, and this quarter.
• Systemise Your Workflow. Use task management tools, folders, and structured routines to reduce mental clutter and improve reliability.
• Delegate with Clarity, Not Ambiguity. Smart leaders assign tasks with clear outcomes and timelines, not vague instructions.
• Meetings Should Drive Progress, Not Just Talk. Design meetings to be purposeful, efficient, and action-oriented. Always follow up.
• Review and Refocus Regularly. Weekly reviews help leaders recalibrate based on shifting priorities and reflect on what’s working (or not).