Doing the Right Things Right: How the Effective Executive Spends Time by Laura Stack Summary

1. Prioritize effectiveness (doing the right things) over efficiency to avoid wasted effort.
2. Align daily tasks with strategic goals using Laura Stack’s 3T Leadership framework.
3. Eliminate tasks Drucker deemed “useless” by questioning their business impact.
4. Boost team productivity by clarifying roles and linking work to organizational objectives.
5. Master time management by focusing on high-leverage activities in Strategic Thinking, Teamwork, and Tactics.
6. Adopt Stack’s “decision filters” to streamline choices and reduce operational costs.
7. Balance long-term vision (Strategic Thinking) with short-term execution (Tactics) for sustained results.
8. Foster team accountability through transparent communication and measurable performance benchmarks.
9. Reduce workplace stress by applying Stack’s efficiency principles to daily workflows.
10. Transform leadership habits using the book’s 12 practices for modern executive effectiveness.
11. Avoid “productivity theater” by cutting redundant meetings and outdated processes.
12. Leverage Laura Stack’s Peter Drucker-inspired methods to align personal and organizational priorities.

About the Author

Laura Stack, author of Doing the Right Things Right, is a bestselling author and award-winning productivity expert known as “The Productivity Pro®.” With an MBA in Organizational Management and over 30 years of experience consulting Fortune 500 companies like Walmart and IBM, Stack specializes in helping leaders optimize workplace performance and build high-productivity cultures.

Her insights on time management, team efficiency, and leadership excellence stem from her role as CEO of The Productivity Pro, Inc., and her tenure as president of the National Speakers Association, where she earned induction into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame—a distinction held by fewer than 175 speakers globally.

Stack’s authority extends across eight books, including FASTER TOGETHER and Leave the Office Earlier, praised by the New York Times for its practical strategies. A frequent media contributor, she has appeared on CBS Early Show, CNN, and NPR, and her work has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and O Magazine. Her monthly productivity newsletter reaches subscribers in 38 countries, and her books have been translated into five languages, solidifying her global influence in organizational performance.

FAQs About This Book

What is Doing the Right Things Right by Laura Stack about?

Doing the Right Things Right by Laura Stack provides actionable strategies for leaders to balance efficiency (executing tasks correctly) and effectiveness (prioritizing high-impact goals). The book combines productivity frameworks, real-world examples, and tools to help professionals eliminate time-wasters, focus on critical objectives, and drive measurable results in high-pressure environments. Stack emphasizes reducing distractions, optimizing workflows, and empowering teams to align daily actions with organizational priorities.

Who should read Doing the Right Things Right?

This book is ideal for executives, managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking to maximize productivity while maintaining strategic focus. It’s particularly valuable for leaders in fast-paced industries, teams grappling with burnout or inefficiency, and individuals aiming to improve time management, delegation, and decision-making skills. Stack’s insights cater to both seasoned professionals and emerging leaders.

Is Doing the Right Things Right worth reading?

Yes — the book is praised for its practical, no-nonsense approach to productivity. Stack’s blend of research-backed methods, case studies, and humor makes complex concepts accessible. Readers gain actionable tactics to streamline workflows, reduce stress, and achieve sustainable success. Its emphasis on “doing less better” resonates in overloaded work cultures.

What are the main productivity frameworks in Doing the Right Things Right?

Key frameworks include:

• The Efficiency-Effectiveness Matrix: Prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact.
• The Four Productivity Suckers: Identify and mitigate time-wasters like poor communication, cluttered systems, indecision, and low-value tasks.
• The RESULTS Model: A six-step system to align daily actions with long-term goals through focus, accountability, and feedback loops.

How does Doing the Right Things Right address leadership challenges?

Stack argues that great leaders protect their team’s time by eliminating bureaucracy, clarifying priorities, and fostering autonomy. The book provides tools for delegation, communication, and creating a “high-value mindset” to empower teams to innovate without micromanagement. It also addresses sustaining productivity during organizational change.

What quotes from Doing the Right Things Right highlight its core principles?

• “Productivity isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing more of what matters.”
• “Reduce, reduce, reduce: trim tasks, tame tech, and protect your time.”
• “Efficiency without effectiveness is just busyness.”

These lines underscore the book’s focus on intentionality and strategic action.

How can Doing the Right Things Right improve workplace efficiency?

The book offers tactics like auditing time expenditures, automating repetitive tasks, and implementing “focus blocks” for deep work. Stack also advocates for standardizing processes, reducing meeting overload, and leveraging technology to minimize manual work. Case studies show how these methods cut wasted time by 20–30%.

What distinguishes Doing the Right Things Right from other productivity books?

Unlike generic advice, Stack’s approach integrates leadership development with personal productivity. The book uniquely addresses team dynamics, offering scalable solutions for organizations rather than individual habits alone. Its focus on measurable outcomes and real-world adaptability sets it apart.

How does Laura Stack’s Doing the Right Things Right relate to her earlier work?

This book expands on themes from Faster Together (team productivity) and SuperCompetent (high-performance habits) by adding leadership-specific strategies. It synthesizes Stack’s 30 years of research into a unified system for organizational excellence, reflecting evolved insights on remote work and digital distractions.

Can Doing the Right Things Right help with work-life balance?

Yes — Stack argues that true productivity creates space for personal time by eliminating inefficiencies. The book teaches readers to set boundaries, say “no” to low-impact tasks, and delegate effectively. Techniques like time-blocking and email management help reclaim 1–2 hours daily for non-work priorities.

What case studies are featured in Doing the Right Things Right?

Examples include a tech startup that doubled output by restructuring meetings, a healthcare team reducing errors through standardized workflows, and a Fortune 500 company boosting morale by aligning KPIs with employee strengths. Stack also shares anecdotes from her consulting career to illustrate frameworks.

How does Doing the Right Things Right adapt to hybrid work environments?

The book includes updated strategies for remote collaboration, such as asynchronous communication protocols, virtual accountability systems, and tools to combat digital fatigue. Stack emphasizes clear goal-setting and trust-based leadership to maintain productivity across distributed teams.