If you commit to something, don’t cancel at the last minute

We all overcommit ourselves from time to time. And then, because we feel overwhelmed, we cancel or back out at the last minute. It feels like no big deal — everybody does it, right? But not following through on your commitments, whether by constantly rescheduling meetings or by failing to get back to people when you say you will, erodes your trustworthiness. Honouring your commitments begins with saying yes only to things you know you can do. If you’re unsure about a request, ask for time to think things over. And practice saying no so that you’ll be ready to turn someone down when needed. (Think about how you can tactfully but frankly refuse, and then say the words out loud until they feel comfortable.) By thoughtfully — and honestly — assessing the requests that come your way, you can protect both your schedule and your reputation.

(Adapted from “You Have to Stop Canceling and Rescheduling Things. Really,” by Whitney Johnson)

Are you really busy? Look for simple solutions to recurring problems

When you’re chronically busy and stressed, it’s easy to react in ways that make the situation worse rather than better. For example, if you have a million tasks on your to-do list, you may not think you have time to stop and prioritise. But simply barrelling through everything that feels urgent isn’t an efficient strategy. Step back and rank your tasks based on urgency and importance. Whatever meets both criteria should be done first; everything else can wait. You should also look for simple solutions to problems that eat away at your time. Constantly forget to charge your phone? Keep a power cord at the office. Catch the same mistakes again and again? Ask your team to make a checklist for spotting their common errors. Travel for work a lot? Create a universal packing list so that planning takes less mental effort. Strategies like these will give you more energy, confidence and time.

(Adapted from “4 Ways Busy People Sabotage Themselves,” by Alice Boyes)

Helping an employee who’s struggling with postpartum depression

Going back to work is tough for any new parent, but the transition is especially difficult for those suffering from postpartum depression. (Remember, postpartum depression affects both women and men.) If you manage employees who have recently had babies, pay close attention to how they’re doing — a parent’s struggle doesn’t always show on the outside. Some people may overcompensate by working too hard, while others may show a loss of enthusiasm. Familiarise yourself with the services your firm offers — which may include groups for working parents, health care coverage for counselling, postnatal yoga or meditation classes — so that you can help your employee access support. Offer options such as flex time, telecommuting, gradual return or peer mentoring. In fact, it’s a good idea to offer these things to all team members so that the new parent doesn’t feel singled out. Find ways to make supporting employees and their mental health part of your culture.

(Adapted from “What Managers Should Know About Postpartum Depression,” by Julia Beck)

If an employee has too much grunt work, shake up their routine

Every job contains some grunt work. If you manage someone who thinks they has more than their fair share, consider ways to change up their responsibilities. You might, for example, impose a time constraint on an unglamorous task: Tell them the previous week’s data needs to be compiled and reported by Monday at 4 p.m. Expect some pushback, since the employee is likely to say he can’t complete the work in half the time. But ask him to at least try — a time constraint can turn an unexciting task into an engaging challenge. You should also consider assigning him some new work. Giving them more exciting projects will compel him to get through his lower-value work more quickly. And share the burden: If employees see you doing grunt work, they’ll be less likely to complain about it.

(Adapted from “How to Help Your Team Manage Grunt Work,” by Whitney Johnson)

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, December 10th, 2018