Managers, It’s Okay to Ease Up Right Now
As a manager, it’s important to acknowledge that everyone’s a bit fatigued these days, and you should recalibrate your expectations accordingly. There are several ways you can do this. First, don’t expect the same level of responsiveness or availability from your direct reports as before. Consider re-prioritizing by identifying which deadlines can be extended and which projects can be cancelled altogether. You could also re-assess the level of detail needed on each project. What’s achievable under the current circumstances? And how can you adjust your metrics for success? Next, re-balance work among team members by taking time to understand their personal situations and capacity. Don’t assume that everyone will tell you when they feel overwhelmed or need help — give your team explicit permission to do so, and be proactive about making the necessary changes. Above all, remember that adjusting your expectations doesn’t necessarily mean lowering the bar. Give honest feedback when necessary, and communicate clearly when the quality of your team’s work isn’t up to par. By recalibrating and being explicit about your expectations in the short term, you’ll get much more out of your people in the long run.
“Managers, Adjust Your Expectations (Without Lowering the Bar),” by Rebecca Zucker