Many leaders are finding it difficult to manage their increasing workloads. Having to deal with the usual end-of-year strategic planning while in the midst of staffing shortages—combined with the natural tendency so many of us have to say “yes” to any additional work—has led to people feeling just plain worn out. In her November 1 “Your Best Next Move” video, Bobbie LaPorte shares some practical tips to manage your workload and find ways to get your team to step up and grow.
Transcript of Your Best Next Move: How do I manage an increasing workload that never ends?
Hi everyone, Bobbie LaPorte here again with my weekly tip for your Best Next Move – where I help you have more agency in your work, acknowledge your capacity to act, and see what you can do right now.
This week I want to talk about the increasing workload that, among, other things, are just wearing people out. I continue to hear this every week and wonder if there isn’t something different leaders can do for themselves and their teams?
I know – you are thinking: not another note on how to manage my workload. You have probably heard every angle, smart tip, strategy. I get it. So why is it still an issue for so many?
I have my theories – but here are some of the environmental elements I see that contribute to this ongoing issue:
- Right now is the time for many of you for strategic planning, budgeting, the year-end Q4 push to hit your goals. So more work than your “usual” job.
- There are just not enough people. Call it the Great Resignation or whatever phenomena you want, but many of my clients have 20+% of their existing positions not filled – never mind new hires they need going into a new fiscal year.
- As empathetic leaders, we want to feel valued, needed – so we feel compelled to say “yes” to every request or additional work that comes our way. And – subconsciously – some of us like playing the role of the overburdened, weary leader. We’ve just become accustomed to it, almost expecting it. We like sympathy.
Well, let me tell you – THAT persona no longer has value. Your real value comes from making the time to have perspective, to stop, think and reflect about how you are leading, to create capacity in others – not take it all on yourself.
You know you can’t do everything. You probably can’t even do 75% of what you are taking on – at least not do it well, feel good about the outcome, how you are involving your team and how you are managing yourself.
And on top of this, it can be really self-defeating behavior.
As my client and fellow student of behavioral fitness says:
“Your present self is stealing from your future self.” — Mike Hamilton
You continually take on too much – for all the reasons I laid out earlier – and then when it comes to the point where you plan to take a break: the weekend, next Wednesday, two weeks from now – whatever – you are too worn out to appreciate the time.
And the cycle continues.
So, here’s my tip to manage an increasing workload:
Let’s assume that for some reason you can only work 75% of what is a regular workweek. You have a family or personal issue, it doesn’t matter. Make something up. You have NO OTHER OPTION than to move work off your plate.
- What can you move/delegate to someone else – and don’t automatically think your team is not ready. Part of your job is to understand their skills and talents – and ask them to extend themselves to grow.
- What if you said “no” to some projects: what is the worst scenario? Is it really that important? Force yourself to do an objective evaluation of the ROI.
- Does this work really have to be done by you or someone on your team? Can it be outsourced, hand it off to an expert who can readily step in and take it off your plate. And importantly, doing this is not an admission of incompetence – it’s just reality. Deploy the talents of your team to where they are most fully utilized.
As always, I want 2021 to be a year of momentum for you, one of possibility thinking that takes advantage of the agency we sometimes forget we have.
That’s my tip for this week. I’ll see you next week. Take care of yourselves.