When working with groups all over the country, in a huge varieties of industries and sectors, I can be sure of the answer to the question – “how are you doing?”

The answer goes something like this, “Oh fine, (pause) busy, yes very busy”.

They should be busy, busy is good for business.

Are people confusing busy with frenetic?

Dictionary definition of busy – “If you are busy, you are working hard, or giving your attention to a particular thing” – eg. I was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner.

Frenetic on the other hand is defined as:

“an activity that is fast, energetic, and highly active, but in a wild, disorganized, or uncontrolled way. It often involves nervous energy and a lack of calm efficiency”

Managers and team members often create a frenetic environment under the heading of “we’re so busy”. They talk themselves into it, everyone in the team proclaiming just how busy they are, how they cant get everything done, how they dont know where to start etc etc

Before you know it the culture and the environment is frenetic not busy. Busy gets things done, busy maintains focus and attention.

Frenetic is out of control, overwhelming and chaotic!

Managers need to work hard to maintain the focus of the team get things done and not fuel the fire of the frenetic environment.