Unless Otherwise Directed ⇪

Our aim at Athena is to give you your time back so you can spend it in the ways that matter most.

In each issue of our newsletter you’ll get unique delegation tips.

Unless Otherwise Directed

Last month, my assistant sent me a WhatsApp message:

"UNODIR: Booking your flight to Singapore. Cathay Pacific business class, $7,320. Connection through Hong Kong. Completing payment end of day."

I didn't respond. I didn't need to.

The flight was booked, the trip was planned, and life moved forward – all without me having to make a single decision.

This is UNODIR ("unless otherwise directed") in action — a military decision-making principle that enables agility and initiative. It means moving forward with a plan unless explicitly told otherwise, ensuring progress without waiting for approval.

Most leaders unintentionally create invisible permission structures — teams that wait for approval, stall on decisions, and constantly check in.

UNODIR flips that dynamic — your team moves at the speed of trust; instead of asking for permission, they inform you of their actions. Unless you say stop within the timeframe they specify, they keep moving forward. Decisions get made. Progress happens. And you free up mental bandwidth.

Here’s exactly how we built an UNODIR system — and how you can implement it to start delegating effortlessly.

Your Travel Book

I once missed a flight because I spent 15 minutes frantically scrolling through 27 Gmail tabs while my Uber driver contemplated leaving me on the curb.

Like most busy people, I had accepted that travel meant drowning in a sea of confirmation emails, calendar invites, and last-minute panic searches.

But what if your assistant could organize all your travel info in one easy-to-access place?

I now have my assistant create a comprehensive PDF with clickable links for everything that includes:

1. Flight information → Easy access to all my flight logistics in one place, from terminal numbers to boarding passes.

2. Lodging details → Address, check-in/out times, and reservation and loyalty numbers at my fingertips.

3. Dining reservations → No more searching for confirmation emails or addresses.

4. Activities → Hours and days open, expected duration, and whether advanced tickets are required.

I have her add all locations to a custom Google Map and include the link to it in the PDF to make it easy to take action on navigating to any of my destinations.

The right delegation can transform your trip prep and travel experience from a stressful scramble into a "no need to think about the details" experience — and save you time and mental energy for what really matters.

Here’s an example from an Athena member. A PDF itinerary of their safari through Kenya last year (you can download it):

Want more signal, less noise? Delegate your reading list with this video and more ideas from Athena members: