At a recent LeanUp treasury community meeting, the host member was helping me set up the room for the following morning. I was expressing my gratitude to her for hosting the event and we began speaking about the value of her membership. Her insight was eye-opening for me. She said LeanUp meetings are “like a health check”. Rather than waiting until a health crisis to see a medical professional, you get periodic checkups to stay in front of any potential problems lurking within. I had never thought of our communities that way, but I concluded she was right.
 
She went on to say that LeanUp membership and meetings are also like the second quadrant in Stephen Covey’s Four Quadrants of Time Management (see below). Treasury leaders are consumed by the two “Urgent” quadrants and most people struggle to some degree with quadrant 4 (Waste). But it’s quadrant 2 (Effectiveness) that is the most important. It is difficult to focus on because it gets crowded out by the other three. Success in quadrant 2 requires intentionality, thoughtfulness, and planning. It’s where you invest your time to invest in yourself, your network, and your personal and professional growth. It’s where you learn, think, and create. My meeting host was right again.
 
LeanUp membership and events help with all of the elements in quadrant 2. But to benefit from them, you have to plan and engage. We have many events this year for treasurers, AT’s and directors, people focused on FX, and people focused on investments and capital markets. We encourage you contact us to step into quadrant 2 and be intentional about what is important to your professional health.