Ever feel frustrated with your team's lack of progress on special projects? 🤦 You’re not alone. In a recent coaching call, a health center senior leader I worked with expressed similar concerns.
I asked him how he had presented those projects to the team and what priority he had given them.
"I told them they could work on them during their free time," he said. "They seemed excited about having some variety to their job functions, so I assume they wanted to prioritize it."
He seemed generally confused - after all, they seemed excited about the project, but none of that excitement translated into action!
We worked through the issue, focusing on how he could prevent the same thing from happening again:
1️⃣: Remember, your team members can't read your mind. 🧠
If your team is experiencing frustration, take a step back and consider your role and how to improve the situation. My coaching client and I discussed how important it is to communicate expectations to team members clearly. If this project is a priority, make sure that it's clear.
2️⃣: People rarely have 'free time.' ⌚
We should assume our teams are busy and don't have much free time. So, instead of asking them to do something during their free time, help them allocate a portion of their day to work on the project. Do you need it done quickly? Then, they need to be empowered to dedicate a large portion of their workday to get it done. If it is a long-term project, help them finish 20% of their day to work on it in smaller increments.
3️⃣: Don't assume the project is getting done. 🤔
When you assign a project to a team or an individual, be proactive about scheduling check-ins to make sure it's on track. Often, people feel stuck but don't want to admit that to their leader. Ask them how the project is going, where, and what barriers they're experiencing. If you help them overcome those barriers, they're more likely to complete the project.
As Brene Brown says, "Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind." If you're frustrated with your team, communicate your expectations clearly and frequently.
How do you make sure your team stays on track with special projects? Emil me and share your thoughts! [email protected]
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