We all feel like juggling many tasks while attempting to maintain the morale and motivation of our team from time to time. Effective leadership involves more than distributing tasks and simply marking them off a list. It’s about motivating and inspiring a group of people to stay engaged and motivated. How can you achieve that balance?
Immediate Effects
After assessing the situation, begin routine one-on-one check-ins with each team member, asking about their work, feelings, and challenges. “How do you feel today?” is a simple question that opens hearts and minds. Begin assigning work more thoughtfully, ensuring each person has a role that complements their abilities. You can also reach immediate effects by introducing, e.g., a ‘win of the week’ segment in your meetings to celebrate victories and boost morale. The impact will be almost immediate. People will be more engaged and willing to share ideas. The atmosphere in the office will change quickly. You will start consistently hitting your deadlines if everybody feels valued and on the same page.
Long-term Effects
This approach will improve productivity and build a stronger, more cohesive team in the long run. People will be more invested in their work and in each other. As soon as you become a unit, you can tackle any challenge. That shift in focus from tasks to prioritizing people has a solid long-term effect if you stay consistent.
Understanding the Balance
Leadership isn’t just about crossing off to-do lists. It’s about inspiring and guiding a team. Focusing solely on tasks risks burnout and disengagement. Conversely, focusing on people can improve productivity.
🎧 Listen on the Go: Prefer audio? Tune into this episode on Spotify to explore how to effectively balance tasks with team morale. Learn practical strategies to keep your team motivated while meeting your goals. Take these valuable insights with you wherever you are!
Helpful Advice
Prioritization
Setting priorities begins with clarity. Set aside a few minutes in the evening to review and prioritize your to-do list. That will increase your feeling of having things in control for the next day. In the morning, follow up with your team. For example, during a stressful project, prioritize the top three tasks daily and practice effective delegation to stay on track without overburdening anyone. Classifying tasks according to importance and urgency using an effort/impact matrix is an easy and very effective step. You can download the template here:
Communication
Open, honest communication is vital. Regular check-ins about work and personal matters build trust and rapport. During weekly team meetings, discuss projects, individual milestones, vacation plans, and challenges. That will significantly improve cohesion and morale.
Empathy
Empathy is a strength. Understanding your team’s challenges and working together on solutions builds a collaborative environment. Offer flexibility and support if a team member goes through a tough time. That will increase productivity and loyalty.
🎥 Watch and listen: In this episode of Grow with Alica Trizma on YouTube, I talk about leading with both heart and hustle. Discover why maintaining your team’s motivation is just as crucial as meeting deadlines, plus strategies to balance both. Prefer reading? Just continue below.
Real-life Examples
Once, my team had a project with tight deadlines, as almost always. Instead of pushing harder, we sat together, reassessed, and redistributed the workload. This approach relieved stress and improved the process. One of our graphic designers, overwhelmed with work, was paired with my PA to help with smaller tasks. This relieved the graphic designer’s stress and sped up the process. As a bonus, my PA gained new skills in graphic design.
Next time, we introduced a new workflow system, which initially created chaos. Instead of forcing the system, we paused to gather feedback. Workshops and brainstorming sessions where everyone could voice their concerns and suggest improvements led to a smoother transition and a more efficient workflow. We lost time initially, but the new workflow system was implemented with this pause.
Another example: Implementing a ‘flex time’ policy, where team members could choose their working hours within a given range, greatly impacted my team. A team member struggling with childcare issues found this flexibility a lifesaver. The team’s productivity increased as they could work during their most effective hours. This policy showed the team that I trusted them to manage their time, boosting morale.
Actionable Tips from the Expert
I recently had the pleasure of meeting a fantastic client, an experienced leader I have worked with for some time. We reflected on our collaboration, and these are the tips that worked best for him:
- Feedback Loops: Implement regular feedback sessions, both formal and informal, to identify issues early and address them promptly. Ensure these sessions are consistent, even when on vacation or other duties. Reschedule; do not cancel.
- Transparent Communication: To build trust and reduce uncertainty, inform the team well upfront about decisions and changes.
- Lead by Example: Balance work and personal life, setting boundaries and prioritizing well-being to encourage your team to do the same.
- Celebrate Successes: Genuinely celebrate small and big wins to boost morale and motivate the team.
Closing Thoughts
Reflecting on my experience as a coach and leader, managing people and tasks is about developing your team. Leadership is about more than just getting things done. The emphasis should be on accomplishing tasks by first ensuring people are well-supported. Positive working relationships lead to completed work. Although a balanced approach can be challenging, the benefits are worth the effort.
