The solution
However,
the solution to Derek’s dilemma is readily available. Derek should simply decide that his set point for e‑mails
is two hours and do Monday’s 40 on Monday, Tuesday’s 40 on Tuesday, and
Wednesday’s 40 on Wednesday. The
average number of e‑mails doesn’t change; the timing for doing them
does.
That
eliminates the frustration and gives his co-workers what they need
when they need it. They, in turn, will be giving him
what he needs when he needs it. No one
will be setting someone else’s work pace based on a very elusive, personal
assessment of how long the other person can wait for the response to be able to get on
with his or her work.
