The role of County Commissioner can be time consuming and it is important to prioritise so that tasks are done efficiently, making the role manageable and allowing you time for personal commitments.
- Have set times for correspondence, such as answering emails and responding to phone calls. Let your team know when these are so that they know when to expect a response. There may be occasions when you need to be available outside these times, but it is important to set boundaries for when you will be available.
- Delegate tasks to other members of your County team. Give each member of your team a clear, written role description so that they know what is expected of them.
- Feature a set of FAQs on your County website so that people can find a quick answer to common questions or find who to contact with a query.
- Have an organised filing system so that you can find things easily.
Working through tasks chronologically may not always be the best strategy. You will need a system to help prioritise jobs in order to deal with the most urgent while not forgetting those which are less ‘time sensitive’.
These are just suggestions for how you can manage your time as Commissioner. It is important that you use a system that works for you personally. Do not feel pressured to work in the same way as the outgoing Commissioner or other members of your County Team.
Having a system for time management, prioritisation and delegation should not be seen as an attempt to avoid work. It allows you to be more focused on tasks and ensure that your team is used effectively.