Forging Ahead

Or taking time to recharge

Some people feel energized by a success and immediately look for the next challenge “to continue the streak.”

Many others, though, give extra effort to get the project over the finish line and need time to recharge before tackling anything new.

As leaders, we need to know which of these is true for us. We also need to look at each of our team members and recognize what each of them needs, as well.

For many people, it’s a matter of scale. A small victory might build confidence and energize people for the next challenge in most cases. However, after a huge push, assume most people will need a while to recharge, or they risk burnout.

You can ask your people which works better for them… but don’t assume they are going to give you an accurate answer. Many motivated professionals will tell their boss that they will take on more—they want to present as a dedicated professional, or not let you down, or not look “weak,” or be a good team player. If possible, ask BEFORE you get to crunch time, and let them know you are looking to keep the team in good shape for the long haul.

(Photo by Jason Dent on Unsplash)