Under the Gun to Get it Done
Projects get to a point when things start falling apart. Failure rises up.
Some people panic. Others give up.
Reality:
Competence in one area doesn’t transfer to other areas. In some conditions complexity and stress bring out your best, but, in others, you’re overwhelmed.
Shut down:
Pressure causes some to shut down.
When their eyes glaze over, accept that brain function just went into overload. Ease off. Adding pressure only makes things worse.
When stress causes someone to shut-down, pressuring them won’t turn them on again.
6 responses to potential failure:
- Nurturer: I’ll take care of it myself.
- Planner: You should have planned better. Deal with it.
- Motivator: Just try harder.
- Comforter: It’s OK. We’ll get it next time.
- Developer: What are we learning.
- Perfectionist: Just forget it.
All of these responses have their place, but there’s more.
Under the gun to get it done:
Determine if it really matters.
Is failure catastrophic or a setback? Is this a “learn from your mistakes” moment, or a “do or die” moment.
- What does a setback do to team members?
- What does failure cost?
- How quickly can you recover?
- How will customers be impacted?
- What will the people “upstairs” think?
7 ways to get it done when you’re under the gun:
When getting it done really matters, press through.
- Rely on people you trust. You’re doomed if you haven’t built relationships already.
- Search for alternatives. How can you achieve your goals in new ways?
- What does less than perfect look like?
- Is postponing an option?
- Keep breathing.
- Don’t lash out. Anger doesn’t bring out the best in others.
- Hold people’s feet to the fire. Expect performance. But, watch for the “glazed eye” problem mentioned above.
Bonus: Debrief after the storm. What did we learn?
How can leaders get things done when things start falling apart?
When playing tennis and I’m down down 5 to 1 in a set I like to envision the amazing comeback story. More than once I’ve been able to make it happen by digging really deep and just going for it. The same underdog scrappy story can be told in the office as long as you embrace the cheese and make fun of yourself in the process while ending with a heartfelt sincerity that includes making yourself vulnerable and having deep trust in your team.
Thanks James. Love it. Noting left to lose can help us just go for it! Your suggestions about pointing to the cheese, having fun, and being sincere are essential.
When I’m under the gun, having fun is really hard. 🙂
Could be viewed a different way!!!
Who made the lightbulb?
What if everytime he discovered what would not work he told himself I failed!!!
He woulda quit, of course!!!!!
I NEVER FAIL, ever!!!
I find lots of stuff that do not work till I find what does.
Requires relating differently to my AWESOME self and having no quitting sense!!!
Yipeeee! Its Monday !!!
Forward!!
SP
EA You have NO idea how your life will change and what you are capable of till you learn how to think. To see how you think now, look at your life right now? Satisfied? Right, knew so!
Thanks Scott. I appreciate your light-bulb illustration. But, it’s not quite the same as having customers or team members counting on you to execute a plan that is starting to fall apart.
I have failed. Many times. Yes, I’ve learned. But, if I have my druthers. I’d rather not let my customers or team down.
If you insist you fail, who am I to argue?
Not trying to change your mind, explaining mine.
I NEVER FAIL, I discover what will not work till I find what does.
Just like that Dude who invented the lightbulb.
SP
EA
Perfect timing for this article. This is going on in my office right now. I asked that everyone hold the negative comments and take a deep breath. Thank You! P.S. the project will be done in time!
Thanks David. Here’s to success!
It’s very interesting what pressure does to people. It exposes your cracks … your weaknesses but it also shows you where your pillars of strength are. Some individuals will discover that they can think under pressure while others are paralysed. I’m sure everyone can think of an overwhelming event in their lives that has shut them down. How did we survive? By moving forward one step at a time. At work or in life when faced with the encroachment of paralyzing feelings, break the problem down into smaller chunks. If you have to just think of the next step to achieving a way out of a crises, that’s all you need to move forward. Sometimes coming up with whole plan can be overwhelming. Do what you can to make the situation at least a little bit better.
Thanks Michael. Great add. One other thing. What overwhelms us in one situation, doesn’t overwhelm us in another. That’s where a team is so helpful.
It can be hard to realize that the thing that brings out my best may bring out the worst in another.
All good advice as usual, Dan. This is certainly the people side of the problem. I want to extend this by suggesting that good leaders have good plans. This is not to say they have fool proof plans (no such thing in my experience), but plans that can be retooled on the fly. Here’s what I mean in more than 300 words. http://parnassusanalytics.com/2014/04/30/stretch/ Cheers! 😃
Thanks Steven. Well said. Those of us who have high-tolerance for flying by the seat of our pants still need to plan! We frustrate others when we don’t.
I would also add the simple perspective of UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS and the components of getting things done. Research on strategy implementation shows that only half of the mid-managers feel that a new strategy will be effectively implemented, and that is generally because the senior managers do not really understand that it takes 3 years and a LOT more than simply expecting it to happen.
For any project, there are “mechanical” pieces that need to be accomplished (changes in measurement and feedback systems to align desired behavior with organizational objectives) and that kind of thing. Plus the culture, plus the support systems and all the great things mentioned above.
Two quotes of mine spring to mind:
“Don’t Just DO Something, Stand There!”
“Nobody ever washes a rental car.”
Building support teams and being open to issues and opportunities along the lines discussed above all contribute to the potential for impact.
Rock and roll!
Thanks Scott. Rockin’ comment. One reason I enjoy reading comments is the wide range of perspectives and intelligent ideas that people like you add.
Just a quick note on implementation. I’ll never forget one of the reasons technology projects fail. The take too long to complete! 🙂
Dan,
Most are overwhelmed because they’re looking at the whole picture, I have learned to break the pieces up and build the whole picture, it can be done, it will be done and we can do it!
P.S. I do wash the rental car when we return it…. LOL
Thanks Tim. The rental car reference made me crack up. Thanks for the comment and for being you!
The big picture certainly has it’s place…but when it comes to implementation, short-term goals win the day. Great add.