Is your organisations deadlines pushing employees into overwhelm?

Overwhelm is one of several manifestations of stress. A big contributor to feeling overwhelmed is workload - that feeling that there is just too much to do, that you can't keep up or meet the multiple deadlines coming at you left, right and centre (some of which can be self-imposed). It can feel that you are literally drowning in work leaving you feeling drained, unable to focus and getting nowhere fast. This can be further exacerbated by other challenges going on - maybe home life is also throwing a few curve balls your way.

Sound familiar?

Overwhelm at work is a common occurrence in the workplace. I have observed many times how workload linked to tight deadlines have been a major contributor to stress and overwhelm bringing teams and individuals to their knees. Whilst deadlines can be beneficial for productivity and goal achievement they also have many serious downsides and drawbacks which can become an ingrained part of organisational culture. Organisations can take positive steps to reduce this occurrence - 1) make it a regular discussion item at board level, 2) approach deadlines through consultation and 3) by creating an open environment that gives everyone permission to question and challenge deadlines rather than accept them at face value.

I remember one time being given a deadline of two days to deliver a piece of work amidst an already heavy workload. Completion of some of the work was outside of my control as I needed input from other people. Those other people were on annual leave. I pushed back and asked if it really needed to be completed by said date and enquired what would be the consequences (so as to gauge the urgency) if I couldn't deliver. I didn't get a response other than 'it had to be done and we don't want to upset the manager'. I said emphatically that I couldn't magic the information out of thin air! I emailed the senior manager and told them what I could deliver in two days and that the rest would follow the week after when key individuals were back from annual leave. They replied saying that was fine!

The reason unrealistic deadlines occur are many, however, they are often a result of a manager or leader transferring their felt pressure on to others so that,

their urgency becomes someone else's emergency

Unrealistic deadlines can also be related to positional power, or when individuals report into more than one person and senior teams having little insight into what's happening lower down the organisation. Organisations working with multiple priorities, imposing tight deadlines and constantly firefighting strongly suggests the business is temporarily out of whack. Further, deadline driven cultures put wellbeing, productivity and performance at risk as we can see from the list below.

The MANY disadvantages of deadlines:

1. Stress and Anxiety: One of the most common downsides of deadlines is the stress and anxiety they can cause. As the deadline approaches, individuals may feel overwhelmed and pressured to meet the deadline, leading to increased stress levels.
2. Reduced Creativity: Strict deadlines can stifle creativity. When people are focused on meeting a deadline, they may not have the time or mental space to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions.
3. Rushed Work: Deadlines can lead to rushed work. When individuals are racing against the clock to meet a deadline, they may not have the time to thoroughly research, plan, and execute their tasks, resulting in lower-quality work.
4. Burnout: Constantly working under tight deadlines can lead to burnout. Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that can result from chronic stress and overwork. It can have long-term negative effects on one's health and well-being.
5. Missed Opportunities: Focusing solely on meeting deadlines can cause individuals to miss out on other opportunities. They may not have the time to explore new ideas, take on additional projects, or engage in professional development.
6. Lack of Work-Life Balance: Deadlines can interfere with work-life balance. When individuals are constantly working to meet deadlines, they may have little time for relaxation, leisure, or spending time with family and friends.
7. Reduced Attention to Detail: Tight deadlines can lead to errors and oversights. When people are rushing to complete tasks, they may not pay as much attention to detail as they should, which can result in mistakes.
8. Negative Health Impacts: The stress and pressure associated with deadlines can have negative health effects, such as increased blood pressure, sleep disturbances, and other stress-related ailments.
9. Unrealistic Expectations: Sometimes, deadlines are set without a realistic understanding of the time and resources required to complete a task. This can lead to constant frustration and dissatisfaction.
10. Team Dynamics: In collaborative settings, deadlines can strain team dynamics. Team members may have different working speeds and capacities, and the pressure to meet deadlines can lead to conflicts and tension within the team.
11. Loss of Long-Term Perspective: When individuals are constantly focused on short-term deadlines, they may lose sight of long-term goals and strategies, which are often crucial for sustainable success.

I am pretty sure this will resonate far and wide. From a mind, body, spirit perspective, I think it squeezes every single ounce of joy out of work and only serves to disengage and disempower employees. On the plus side we can all have a go at challenging deadlines and I encourage this where you feel there is a safe space to do so.

Finally, of course, there are genuine emergencies and times where urgent work needs to be done. However, this should not be the norm. Whilst deadlines can be a useful tool for managing time and achieving goals, it's important to be aware of these many downsides and find ways to mitigate their negative effects through discussion, consultation and regular review of how teams and departments are working.

Please comment below - I'd love to get your views!

Have a great day!

Debbie