What do you do if you're struggling to balance your own deadlines with supporting your team?

1 Prioritize Tasks

When deadlines loom and your team needs you, prioritizing tasks becomes essential. Start by identifying the most critical deadlines and tasks that require your immediate attention. Analyze the impact of each task on your goals and the team's objectives. Sometimes, what seems urgent may not be as important in the grand scheme of things. By categorizing tasks based on urgency and importance, you can create a more manageable schedule that accommodates both your responsibilities and your team's needs.

3 Communicate Clearly

Clear communication is the cornerstone of effective leadership. When balancing deadlines, it's crucial to keep your team informed about your availability and expectations. If you need uninterrupted time to focus on a deadline, communicate this to your team and provide alternative support options or designate someone to handle queries in your absence. Transparency about your workload encourages understanding and fosters a supportive team environment.

4 Manage Time Wisely

Time management is critical when you're racing against the clock for both personal and team deadlines. Utilize tools and techniques such as time blocking or the Eisenhower Matrix to organize your day. Allocate specific time slots for individual work and team interactions. By structuring your day, you minimize the risk of tasks bleeding into each other, which helps maintain focus and productivity.

5 Support Team Growth

While meeting your deadlines is important, supporting your team's development is equally vital. Encourage your team to take on challenging tasks that promote growth. This not only aids in their professional development but also helps build a more competent and independent team. As they grow more capable, you'll find it easier to balance your workload with supporting them since they'll become more self-sufficient in managing their responsibilities.

6 Reflect and Adjust

Lastly, regularly reflect on how well you're balancing your deadlines with team support. Are there recurring bottlenecks? Is your team consistently needing more from you than you can provide? Use these reflections to adjust your strategies. Perhaps you need to set clearer boundaries or improve your delegation skills. Continuous reflection and adjustment are part of the iterative process of becoming a more effective leader.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?