“I'm so sorry,” I whispered before he could even say hello. It was Sunday afternoon, and it was the third time I had to call.
He graciously spoke what we both knew was technically true, “Karin, no worries, this is my job.” But it had been a long couple of weeks, and I knew he was tired.
I hated to keep pushing, but the business needs were real.
7 Ways to Counter Attack Tired
Be a leader that strengthens the mission and the team. It's wrong to live in a state of constant urgency, if that's the scene, something's wrong. Leaders must lead in seasons. But when the going gets tough, it's important to plan your triage.
- Strategize Failure – The business needs this AND that. But some battles will win the war. Help your team understand what matters most. Be frank about what can be lost without sacrificing your mission. Candor strengthens resolve. Empowering “less than perfect” energizes the frontlines.
- Visualize the Win – Help them build a team vision aligned with the strategy. Brainstorm creative tactics and alternative approaches. Encourage talents outside normal job descriptions that support the cause.
- Speak to Behaviors, Not Metrics – Too many metrics exhaust. Trend and study results, but coach to behaviors. Identify the 2-3 most important behaviors that will impact results.
- Provide a Little Leave – The normal response to overwhelmed is longer hours and fewer breaks. Review their calendars and help them find white space. Eliminate unnecessary meetings. Stepping back will leave room for creativity and more efficient approaches.
- Communicate Through the Ranks – Your highest performers won't complain. They'll take on more, and work longer hours to get it done. You may not even know they're tired. Initiate the conversation. Establish regular check-ins. Make it okay to politely question your asks.
- Manage Your Own Stress – Stress rolls down hill. Get a grip.
- Encourage Collaboration & Sharing Best Practices – Fast paced pressure creates silos. Catalyze best practice sharing. Eliminate redundant work. Benchmark how other departments are approaching similar issues. Ask for help from unusual suspects. You'll get support and it will enhance their development.
Winning Well managers sense when troops are tired. Read a free chapter of Winning Well at WinningWellBook.com.
