When to say yes The 5 steps to protect your time

An executive coach offers a five-step process to unlock personal productivity in this guide. According to Khouri, who leads the largest executive coaching firm for dentists in the United States, most supervisors are "constantly busy rather than purposely productive." One reason: Managers find it difficult to say no. The author's approach is to "triage requests" using a methodical practice he developed to protect his own time. Khouri admits the five steps he recommends may at first seem complex, but his lucid explanations of each are reassuring. The business book begins with a look at the shortcomings of the to-do list and multitasking. Both have their limitations, writes the author, and neither helps one know "when to say yes." Khouri addresses other intriguing psychological barriers to decision-making before turning his attention to the five specific steps: 1. Create your Roadmap. 2. Define your relationship hierarchy. 3. Assess the quality of the request. 4. Prioritize and reprioritize. 5. Master delegation. In Part 2, the author covers each of these steps in considerable detail, using numerous pertinent examples from his own experiences and coaching practice. There are some excellent productivity boosters embedded in this section, such as "Khouri's Seven Cs," seven criteria that apply to developing solid goals, and the "Five Components of a Quality Request." Part 3 is highly instructive; it demonstrates how to apply the five steps in a five-week period. The author also offers examples of how he used the process for three specific requests. A particularly useful chapter illustrates how the five steps can be applied to the bane of existence for many managers--email. Khouri concludes by explaining how his process can be integrated with a meetings and appointments calendar. Each chapter includes a "Productivity Corner," an exercise that relates directly to the section's content. In an engaging, creative touch, the author repeatedly references segments of the classic movie It's a Wonderful Life to playfully reinforce his methodology. This is a book that ingeniously applies psychology and time management techniques to address the challenge of being productive. A tightly organized, well-presented case for a fresh way of doing business. (Appendix) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.