Intrapersonal

Effort-Impact Grid

Strategic attention allocation for senior leaders

The Logic

Senior leaders function under endless demand and limited cognitive bandwidth. Performance deteriorates through misallocated energy: prioritizing reactive urgency, over-functioning on low-yield tasks, and over-investing in activities that do not drive outcomes. To an untrained eye, it looks like a time management issue. This framework maps competing demands using two variables: outcome value and execution cost.

Low Effort

High Effort

High Impact

Leverage

Maximize these. The return is high and the effort is something you can sustain.

Example: A key relationship with your board sponsor.

Invest Selectively

Worth the cost in specific cases. The effort is high enough that you cannot do many of these at once. Choose deliberately.

Example: Turning around an underperforming team.

Low Impact

Delegate or Automate

Low stakes and low effort. Your direct attention is over-investment.

Example: Routine status updates.

Exit

Energy drain without return. Stop investing — disengage, contain it, or end the activity.

Example: A recurring conflict with no resolution path.

How to Use

List the ten to fifteen activities, relationships, or initiatives currently demanding your attention.

For each, assess the realistic impact if it goes well, and the effort it requires from you specifically.

Place each item in a quadrant. Notice where your calendar does not match your grid.

Identify one item in the Exit quadrant to disengage from this week.

Download this framework

PDF for offline reference and coaching sessions