I was leading a solution delivery team for a business area. It was a season where the business needed to move fast. However, there were more projects on my team’s plate than could ever be accomplished in the hours of the day. The pressure was high. Everything was the number one priority.
A leader of another team would often remind us of the Mike Vance quote, “you must slow down to go faster.” It was clear the fires were burning all around us, and we were doing our best to keep everything from burning down.
The problem was we couldn’t see the forest for the trees. We were so busy trying to keep it all alive, there was no time to focus on the strategy of where we were going. We were thriving off late nights and delivering big. I learned the hard way, though, that this led to many confrontations and extreme burn out.
As you look at your organization, how are they doing? Are they working on the critical priority they need to deliver or fire fighting to keep the building from burning down? As a leader, have you made clear the number one priority and their specific role in accomplishing it?
I encourage you to take some time this week and check-in with your team. If the team feels overwhelmed and burned out, make sure you and the leadership team align with the top priorities company to be delivered. Also, ensure you are providing the right support for your team.
Teams that consistently deliver are teams that are aligned, focused, and know their priorities. If you need help getting your team on the right path, I am here to help.
