• You’re triaging an urgent patient situation.
• A serious operational decision is unfolding.
• Your brain is fully in Fast Think mode.

And suddenly, someone is standing next to you asking about next week’s schedule, a minor process question, or a frustration they want to talk through right now. So you told the truth, you didn’t have time. 

Later, you find out they felt dismissed. Or unheard. Or confused about why you didn’t seem willing to help. No one did anything “wrong,” but the disconnect still created friction. This is exactly where shared language matters.

In earlier blogs, we talked about why a common language on a team is essential and how understanding Slow Think versus Fast Think helps teams work more effectively together. This tool builds on both of those ideas.

Many leaders, especially in healthcare, wear multiple hats at the same time. For example, you’re often switching between three distinct roles:

• Doctor
• Entrepreneur
• Leader

The challenge is that those hats don’t always change on command. When you’re deep in your doctor role, managing a retinal concern, an acute red eye, or an unexpected complication, it can be genuinely hard to pivot immediately into your leader role and give a team member the time and attention they deserve.

That doesn’t mean their concern isn’t important. It means the timing isn’t aligned. Most frustrations on teams come down to misaligned expectations, not bad intentions.

Introducing the “Now, Soon, Later” language:

“Now, Soon, Later” is a simple prioritization tool that gives teams shared language around timing without minimizing importance.

The core question is: “Is this a now, a soon, or a later thing?” That’s it. Simple. Powerful.

When leaders consistently use this language, a few important things happen. First, it reminds your team that you are balancing multiple roles and responsibilities in real time. If you can’t address something immediately, it’s not because it doesn’t matter. Second, it reassures them that there is a reason you may need to wrap up a conversation quickly or defer it altogether in that moment. Third, it gives them a framework to think through when and how they bring things to you. Over time, people naturally start to self-prioritize before interrupting.

You might say:

• “I want to hear this. Is this a now, soon, or later thing?”
• “I’m in a now situation clinically. Can we put this in the soon bucket and circle back?”
• “This feels like a later conversation. Let’s find a time where we can both be present.”

And yes, sometimes you may need to gently recalibrate expectations after the fact. That could sound like, “I’m not sure we’re on the same page yet about what counts as a now versus a soon. Let’s talk through that.”

For this tool to work, follow-through matters. If you put something in the “soon” or “later” bucket and never come back to it, trust erodes quickly. The language only works when your actions reinforce it. Circling back doesn’t have to be elaborate. Even a quick: “Hey, you mentioned this earlier. I wanted to make sure we reconnect on it.”

This language isn’t just for deflecting interruptions. It’s also a powerful way to show respect for your team’s workload. For example: “Susie, I have a few projects I’ll need from you, but none of them are a now. Let’s find a time that works with your current priorities to talk through them.”

This approach acknowledges their capacity, avoids urgency inflation, and sets the tone for thoughtful planning instead of constant reaction.