Siemens CEO Roland Busch gets 200 emails a day but keeps his inbox below 100. He shares how physics shapes the way he solves problems

Siemens CEO Roland Busch has a simple way of dealing with two common problems of corporate life: an overflowing inbox and a calendar packed with meetings. The 61-year-old executive tries to keep his email inbox below 100 messages and does not schedule recurring meetings with his direct reports, according to Business Insider.

Busch, who became Siemens president and CEO in February 2021, has spent 32 years with the company. He leads a global technology business with more than 300,000 employees and operations across areas including industrial automation, infrastructure, mobility and healthcare.

Also Read: This 16-year-old Canadian student built an autonomous AI-powered robot turtle that can detect tiny microplastics in water


Talking to Business Insider, Busch described the routines he uses to stay on top of a demanding job, from his early-morning workouts to the way he handles emails and meetings.

His inbox gets about 200 emails a day

Busch receives roughly 200 emails every day, but he does not allow the number sitting in his inbox to grow indefinitely. His personal target is to keep the inbox below 100 messages. He believes crossing that number can make it difficult to see what actually requires attention.

His solution is to respond quickly and keep messages short. Sometimes, his replies consist of just two letters. "OK" or "No."

Busch said his team follows the same approach. When an answer requires more explanation, he sometimes dictates the response while walking around his office rather than sitting down to type it. The system is designed around one idea: deal with messages instead of allowing them to pile up.

He does not hold recurring meetings with direct reports

Busch also takes an unusual approach to meetings. Rather than arranging regular meetings with his direct reports, he asks them to approach him when they need his input. "You come to me whenever you need me."

That could mean meeting several times in one week or not meeting for a month, depending on what is happening. Busch said he does not want meetings to take place simply because they have been placed on the calendar. His focus is on discussions that serve a clear purpose.

His physics background influences how he makes decisions

Before reaching Siemens' top job, Busch developed a career in technology and research. His background in theoretical physics continues to influence his management style. He said physics taught him to break complicated problems down and separate the central issues from less important details.

For a CEO, that approach can be useful because major decisions often have to be made without complete information. Rather than trying to process every detail at once, Busch looks for the key factors behind a problem.

His workday starts with exercise

The Siemens chief typically starts his day around 6 a.m. and reaches the gym by about 6:30 a.m. His workouts generally last between 75 and 90 minutes. Weightlifting makes up much of the routine, while boxing and jump rope provide high-intensity exercise.

Also Read: A Florida couple bought a 45-acre swamp to save it from development; 15 years later, 275 wood storks were nesting there in a thriving wildlife haven

He follows the same pattern while travelling, using hotel gyms when necessary. After the workout, Busch often has breakfast with his team. He also uses that time to read press coverage and check his emails.

A paperless office helps him stay organised

Busch has also moved away from paper at work. His desk is kept clean, and he uses digital tools instead of traditional paper documents.

His afternoons can involve one meeting after another, with little time between them. Lunch is usually light, and he continues working through a packed schedule.

He credits his assistant, Gundula, who has worked with him for more than a decade, with helping keep his demanding calendar under control.

Travel does not change his routine

Busch spends a significant amount of time travelling for work. He has developed his own strategy for dealing with different time zones.

On westbound flights, he tries to stay awake or limits his sleep to a short nap so he can sleep at night after reaching his destination.

When travelling east, he prefers night flights and tries to sleep during the journey.

Exercise remains part of the routine. If he has about 90 minutes between landing and his first meeting, he may use part of that window to shower and then visit the hotel gym.

Evenings are still part of the working day

Busch's work can continue after he leaves the office. Dinner meetings with customers, partners and members of his team are common.

Not every dinner is strictly about business. Busch said informal conversations can also cover personal matters and wider discussions about the world.

Later, he may respond to emails, prepare for the following day and communicate with teams in different time zones.

But he tries to create some separation from work before going to bed.

One way he does that is by playing the guitar. Busch recently returned to the instrument after decades away and said even a short session helps him shift his attention away from work.

Weekends are for relationships

Despite his demanding schedule, Busch tries to use weekends to spend time with his wife, friends and family.

He and his wife sometimes meet friends for dinner, play golf or travel together. Some of his close friends live in China, and their families occasionally arrange trips to meet in different locations.

For Busch, maintaining friendships requires regular effort.

"I'm aware that if you don't invest in your friendships and relationships, they fade."

His routine therefore extends beyond productivity. While his email and meeting rules are designed to remove unnecessary work, he also deliberately makes time for relationships and activities outside Siemens.

The result is a CEO schedule built less around doing everything and more around deciding what deserves his attention.