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Urgent or important? Organizations that can’t tell the difference are harming themselves

The text criticizes the prevalent "urgency culture" in corporations, largely driven by artificial deadlines and the myth that constant pressure yields better outcomes. It argues that this false urgency is corrosive, leading to inefficiency, loss of focus on strategic work, employee burnout, diminished trust, and poor leadership decisions. Technology further exacerbates this by creating instant response expectations. The author emphasizes the crucial distinction between genuine urgency and importance, advocating for thoughtful prioritization. Sustainable success stems not from speed, but from discerning what truly needs attention, rather than just reacting to perceived immediate demands.

LiveMint · Srinath Sridharan, Nishchal Joshipura · Jul 9, 2026 at 10:31 AM

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