How Can I Reduce Interruptions in My MSP?
By Ian Richardson, Principal Consultant, Fox & Crow Group
Why MSP Distractions Kill Leadership Productivity
My wife loves shiny things. I mean that literally — sequins are her superpower.
But I also mean it metaphorically. Carrie thrives in the space of ideas. Give her a problem, and she’ll generate 15 possible solutions. You’ll explore three new rabbit holes and somehow end up in Narnia. Her creativity is one of the things I love most about her.
In life, this kind of distraction is charming. It fills our home with laughter.
In business, though? MSP distractions are dangerous.
Business Distractions Don’t Kill Quickly — But They Kill
I’m not talking about the kind of danger that explodes like a bomb. Think slower. Like radiation.
MSP distractions kill progress gradually. One moment your team is thriving, and the next you're hemorrhaging time, culture, and confidence. While leadership attention is diverted, cracks begin to form. Those cracks widen, infecting clients, operations, and even your service delivery strategy.
Before long, you’re performing surgery on your MSP’s foundations — slapping on fixes just to stay afloat.
And like real surgery, sometimes it saves the patient. Sometimes it doesn’t.
Ian Richardson Fox & Crow Group "Distractions are Dangerous"
Interruptions Are the Most Costly Distraction
If you're wondering, “how can I reduce interruptions in my MSP,” you’re already on the right track.
One of the most common — and costly — distractions I see is leadership interruptions. You know the kind:“Hey, quick question…”“Can I run something by you?”“Do you have a minute?”
They seem small, but let’s do the math:
- Most MSP leaders get interrupted 3 to 5 times a day.
- Each interruption takes 5 to 10 minutes to resolve.
- Then another 5 to 10 minutes to get refocused.
That’s 2.5 to 8 hours a week.Up to a full workday lost.Every. Single. Week.
You’re not just losing time — you’re losing momentum, strategy, and attention span. If your MSP leadership team isn’t aligned, that lack of focus can multiply quickly.
Your Team Doesn’t Want to Interrupt You
No one enjoys being a roadblock or “asking for permission” all day long. Most MSP teams want to make good decisions — they just need structure.
That’s where decision-making frameworks come in.
When your MSP team has a clear process for judgment calls, they gain confidence. And that confidence cuts your interruptions down dramatically.
We use a 5-question framework to reduce decision anxiety and drive alignment:
- Does this align with our company mission?
- Does it further our company vision?
- Does it honor our core values?
- Does it follow our strategic plan?
- Does it show value to our primary customer?
We’ve helped MSPs apply frameworks like this to empower teams and free up leadership from reactive firefighting.
The Cost of Inaction
If you don’t create systems that reduce distractions, you’ll lose time. That time loss compounds. It affects your strategic clarity, your client relationships, and your internal culture.
Eventually, you’ll burn out. Or worse — your team will.
If your calendar is constantly overrun, if you feel like a bottleneck, or if your team is stuck in “ask mode,” it’s time for change.
Let’s schedule a chat and talk about how to stop the bleeding and get your time back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do MSP distractions feel harder to manage than in other industries?
Because MSPs operate in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments. Small disruptions can snowball into major client-impacting issues.
How can I reduce interruptions in my MSP leadership team?
Start by training your team to make confident decisions. Use frameworks tied to your mission, vision, values, and client outcomes.
What should I do if my MSP team is afraid to make decisions without checking in?
This usually means they lack clarity or fear consequences. Create systems that build trust and reward initiative — not just accuracy.
How do I know if interruptions are hurting my MSP productivity?
Track how often you’re pulled away and how long it takes to refocus. If it’s costing you a quarter of your week, it’s costing your MSP a fortune.
Are there tools that help MSP leaders avoid distractions?
Yes, but tools are secondary. The real win comes from building teams that understand strategic decision-making.
What’s one thing I can do this week to cut MSP distractions?
Block a 30-minute meeting to define your decision-making framework. Then test it with your team on one real-world issue.
