Stop Wasting Time with “Do You Have a Sec?” Conversations
Ever notice how a simple “Do you have a sec?” can throw your whole day off track? If you’re running a business or leading a team, you’ve probably been on both sides of this awkward exchange. It usually starts with good intentions—a leader or manager has an idea or issue on their mind and wants to address it quickly. But for the person on the receiving end, it’s rarely quick, and it’s almost never stress-free.
The Real Cost of Unplanned Conversations
When you drop in on someone with a vague “Got a minute?”, you’re catching them off guard. They haven’t had a chance to prepare, shift gears, or even finish what they were working on. This kind of interruption doesn’t just waste time—it creates unnecessary stress and can lead to confusion or half-baked solutions.
Think about it…
How many times have you been pulled into a conversation without context, only to walk away feeling flustered or unclear about what just happened? Multiply that by everyone in your organization, and you’ve got a recipe for lost productivity and frustrated employees.
A Better Way: Context and Clarity
The good news is, there’s a simple fix by providing context and clarity. Instead of springing conversations on your team, give them a heads-up. Here’s how you can make every conversation more productive and less stressful:
- Give Context: Instead of “Do you have a sec?”, try “Do you have some time to talk about [specific topic]?” This lets your team member know what to expect and gives them a chance to gather their thoughts.
- Set a Time Frame: Suggest a specific time and duration. For example, “Let’s chat about it at 2:30 for 15 minutes.” This shows respect for their schedule and keeps the conversation focused.
- Offer a Choice: Ask “I have some feedback on your recent project (or would like to discuss ________). Would you prefer to talk now or after lunch?” Giving options helps your team feel more in control and less ambushed.
These small changes can make a big difference. Your team will feel more prepared, conversations will be more productive, and you’ll spend less time repeating yourself or cleaning up misunderstandings.
Why This Matters for Your Business
When your team knows what’s expected and feels respected, they’re more engaged and less stressed. Clear communication is the backbone of a well-structured organization. It’s not just about saving time—it’s about building trust and making sure everyone is rowing in the same direction.
If you’re ready to cut down on chaos and create a workplace where everyone knows what they’re responsible for, it starts with how you communicate.
Communication is creating shared understanding, where the words being spoken and how they are received are the same. But that is a whole different topic.
Ready to Lead with Clarity?
If you want to dig deeper into building better processes and developing your leadership skills, join my ‘Accelerate’ mastermind or reach out for a chat. Let’s make your business a place where clarity, not confusion, drives success.
Stop letting “Do you have a sec?” run your day. Start leading with intention.
Ways to Work Together
If you are feeling trapped in your business and not experiencing the freedom you want, here are the two ways we can work together.
Clarity Call: Ready to build a business that gives you true freedom? I create custom solutions tailored to your industry, goals, and vision of success—so you can love your business again. Click above to schedule a call to clarify your goals, tackle roadblocks, and see how we can work together.
Business Roadmap: This is for business owners who want clear, actionable next steps—not another generic course. Get a plan tailored to your business, clarity on what matters, and the resources to move forward. Walk away knowing exactly what to do—and what to ignore—so you can save time, money, and avoid years of frustration.
A third way, and I know I only said two, but sometimes I can’t help myself. If you are feeling stuck and are in need of resources, reach out. I am happy to point you in the right direction and even provide an asset of my own to help you move forward.
Accelerate is a 3-month mastermind starting in July, designed to help you break through business roadblocks and create lasting change. For $1500, you’ll get a 1-hour deep dive with Stephanie, weekly mastermind coaching, fast email support, and exclusive access to all German Business Consulting resources. Stop feeling stuck, isolated, or overwhelmed—Accelerate gives you the support and clarity you need to move forward. Set yourself up for success and build a business you love.
Stephanie German is a business strategist, adjunct professor, and speaker. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and loves giving back to her community in a variety of ways. When she’s not coaching clients or writing about leadership, Stephanie is usually headed to the mountains or the beach with her family, drinking savory wine, or working on the latest project with her husband. Stephanie’s greatest desires are to raise up the next generation of leaders while raising her own children to be strong, independent, and brave. She lives in Fresno, California with her husband Blake and her three spunky daughters, Cara, Kinsey, and Peyton. She is the best-selling author of So Your Boss Can’t Lead?
I strategically help business owners develop their leadership competencies, implement ways to be more strategic to increase revenue, develop workflows that affect the bottom line, and create work-life integration so they live a life they love. Set up a free 15-minute consult. Click Here.
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Stephanie German is a business strategist, adjunct professor, and speaker. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and loves giving back to her community in a variety of ways. When she’s not coaching clients or writing about leadership, Stephanie is usually headed to the mountains or the beach with her family, drinking savory wine, or working on the latest project with her husband. Stephanie’s greatest desires are to raise up the next generation of leaders while raising her own children to be strong, independent, and brave. She lives in Fresno, California with her husband Blake and her three spunky daughters, Cara, Kinsey, and Peyton. She is the best-selling author of So Your Boss Can’t Lead?