As we head into the busiest season of the year, there will be times when work piles up and you need everyone to double their output. As a leader, your job is to ensure that everyone in your team is in the right head space to approach their work with excitement and enthusiasm rather than terror.
Looking for ways to motivate your team during crunch time? Here are some of the most effective ways to stay on top of your crazy holiday deadlines!
1. Manage your emotions.
Your team will be looking to you for guidance so you’ll want to project a calm and positive energy, especially during tight deadlines. When people have too much on their plate, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Understandably, you might be feeling anxious and frustrated yourself as well. However, it is extremely important during crunch time to be empathetic yet goal-oriented.
One way I manage difficult emotions when I get overwhelmed with work is by going back to my why. Why am I doing this? And why is this important? When assigning tight deadlines to my team, I explain to them why finishing the task on time is essential. Perhaps, it could be a new milestone for the team or finishing it early means we can take a longer holiday break. Whatever the reason is, I make sure to communicate its importance and provide them with the support they need.
2. Break down tasks into manageable chunks.
This can be a double-edged sword. On one end, setting short-term goals helps the team focus, establishes accountability, and ensures sustainable advancement toward your desired result. However, this can also make your team members feel like you are micromanaging them.
The best way to go about this is to assign clear deadlines and allow your team members to structure their work in the way that makes them most productive. Some people prefer to do a big batch of work and then rest while some prefer to work in small increments. Respect your team members’ work preferences and give them the space to work comfortably as long as they meet their deadlines.
3. Offer incentives.
Recognize your team’s hard work by rewarding them accordingly. You can offer awards and bonuses, afternoon time-offs, or a pizza party. Keep your team engaged by giving them something to look forward to.
Something to consider when offering incentives is your team member’s preferences. Instead of deciding this on your own, it’s great to actually talk to your team members to know what they want. This way, you don’t have to rack your brain thinking of an incentive and you’ll be 100% sure that they would actually like it.
There you have it, my top three strategies to motivate my team during the holiday season. I hope you take this seasonal crunch time as an opportunity for you to be a better leader. Use life’s challenges to build resilience and develop mental toughness. You got this!
