TOP TIPS TO HELP YOU MULTI-TASK

Inclusive Cultures Don’t Happen by Accident — They’re Built Intentionally

Following International Women's Day, many organisations reflect on progress.But for finance leaders and hiring managers, the more important question is this: What does inclusion mean in practice — and how does it affect performance? Because this isn’t just a culture conversation. It’s a capability conversation. Inclusion Impacts Talent Attraction The best finance professionals — at every level — have options. They are looking for: Transparent progression pathways Visible meritocracy Leadership that values contribution over presence Environments where performance is recognised fairly If an organisation’s culture unintentionally favours “proximity” — those closest to decision-makers — it narrows its own talent pipeline. And in a market where specialist skills are already in short supply, that’s a commercial risk. Meritocracy Must Be Visible Many businesses describe themselves as meritocratic. But candidates assess that through lived signals: Who is in senior leadership? Who is promoted internally? How are flexible working arrangements handled? How openly are development opportunities discussed? In accountancy and finance particularly — where progression paths are structured and performance is measurable — fairness needs to be both real and visible. High performers want clarity, standards and consistency. Leadership Behaviour Shapes Retention Inclusive leadership isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about everyday behaviours: Who is invited into strategic discussions Who is given stretch projects Who is credited publicly Who is sponsored, not just mentored Retention in finance teams is rarely lost because of salary alone. It’s often influenced by visibility, opportunity and recognition. Businesses that understand this tend to build stronger, more stable finance functions. The Commercial Case for Inclusion Diverse and inclusive teams bring broader perspectives to: Risk assessment Strategic planning Commercial analysis Operational improvement For CFOs and Finance Directors, inclusion isn’t a compliance issue. It’s about building balanced teams capable of better decision-making. The organisations that approach inclusion intentionally — rather than reactively — are often the ones that outperform in the long term. Beyond Awareness Days International Women’s Day creates valuable momentum every year:But sustained progress comes from: Clear promotion criteria Transparent hiring processes Conscious leadership development Ongoing cultural accountability In today’s hiring market, an inclusive culture isn’t just about employer branding — it influences who joins, who stays and how teams perform.

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One of the most common responses we receive when talking to clients about what they are ideally looking for in a candidate is that they must be able to multi-task.

However there is a huge difference between competently managing several tasks at the same time and jumping around from one thing to another without successful completing anything. We asked our team of highly experienced consultants for their top tips and suggestions on you can master the art of multi-tasking to make you more efficient at work, improve your performance and grow your career.

Make sure your expectations are achievable

There is something very satisfying about being able to cross things off your to-do list and that sense of satisfaction can be very motivating and ultimately lead you to achieve more; the key is to make sure that what you set out to do is realistic and achievable. Looking at a big long list of tasks can almost defeat you before you have started so take some time at the start of each week to plan out what you can reasonably complete.

Be realistic with your time

Time is a hugely important factor when it comes to your ability to multi-task and firstly you must be realistic about how much time each task will genuinely take to complete to the right standard and secondly, you have to be sensible about what time you have available to you. If you know you are going to be attending several meetings during the week, plan out how you can best use your remaining time to avoid rushing to get things done or missing deadlines.

Write things down

When you are busy and trying to keep several plates spinning, it can be easy to forget about a particular task. Writing a list by whatever method works best for you – some people put reminders in their online calendars, others favour a simple handwritten list – will give you that headspace to consider what needs to be done, reducing the likelihood that something will slip your mind.

Work out an order to do things in

There are a few different approaches you can take; you might opt to tackle simple, straightforward tasks first that you know are unlikely to take a lot of time which will allow you to cross things off your list and feel like you are making progress. Or you might prefer to take on the most time consuming project first as once that is complete your head is clear to move onto something else. Whichever approach you take, make sure you prioritise tasks with any deadlines in mind.

Try not to worry about what you are not doing

Having a clear focus on the task in hand is essential so make sure you allocate each task on your to-do list to a particular day of the week or time of the day. Knowing that you are not going to work on XYZ until later in the week will allow you to concentrate more effectively on what is your current priority.

Two birds with one stone...

Look for efficiencies by grouping similar tasks together. For example if you know you need to speak to several clients across the week, try to set aside a morning or afternoon to schedule these all in to avoid repeatedly breaking off from other tasks.

Give yourself a break

Multi-tasking isn’t about burning yourself out or rushing through tasks as quickly as possible to move onto something else! By making sure you take regular breaks – including a proper lunch break – you will be more likely to keep a clear head and complete tasks more accurately and efficiently.

Avoid distractions

It can be easy to become distracted from the task at hand and emails are one of the most likely causes. Allow yourself regular points in the day to check your emails rather than reacting to every notification as they come in and take you away from what you are doing.

Communicate

If you work in a busy office noise levels can become too distracting. Let your colleagues know if you need some quiet time and if possible, move to a different area of the office or pop in some headphones to reduce the sound of others. If you want to avoid being disturbed unless for something urgent, ask for messages to be taken on your behalf or set your phone to voicemail.

Also remember to communicate regularly with your team, particularly if you need information from them to complete some work or they are relying on you meeting a deadline for something they are working on; make sure that your timeframes are coordinated to avoid any last minute panics or repeated requests for updates.

Be disciplined with your time

Unless something needs your immediate attention, try to stick to your proposed schedule as much as possible. It can be worth keeping a little time free during each day to deal with things that need to be looked at more urgently or that crop up unexpectedly.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for temporary, interim and permanent roles across the full spectrum of positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today and speak to a member of our team about your next career move.