Working with a lean team during a busy season. How do you keep spirits high and avoid burnout?
Balancing workload and well-being is crucial when your lean team faces a demanding season. Here are some strategies to keep spirits high:
What strategies have helped your team stay motivated during peak periods?
Working with a lean team during a busy season. How do you keep spirits high and avoid burnout?
Balancing workload and well-being is crucial when your lean team faces a demanding season. Here are some strategies to keep spirits high:
What strategies have helped your team stay motivated during peak periods?
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One thing that I found useful is to give them leadership role. I started to ask a summary report of contributions towards company in the week or biweekly. This not only developed their sense of responsibility also it brought a lot of confidence amongst them
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As a former Director of Operations, I’ve managed lean teams during busy seasons, and the key is showing appreciation and ensuring balance. I made it a priority to even out the workload, even if it meant taking on extra tasks as the leader. To keep spirits high, I’d regularly show appreciation with small gestures like sending lunch or thoughtful gifts. I also ensured my team had scheduled time off before and after busy periods, allowing them to recharge. By prioritizing both work and well-being, we were able to avoid burnout while maintaining a strong, motivated team.
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Fun - Smoothies for every one! Take moments to relax before re-engaging Patience -We’re all navigating a tough time, so let’s lift each other up and let things slide Empathy — Take a breather, let’s figure it out together. Regular check-ins, adjustments, kids sick? See you tomorrow. Flexibility — Not everyone thrives on a 9-to-5 schedule. Let’s give people the space to perform at their best, whether that’s working from home, completing Jira tasks at 3AM, whatever it takes.
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As Sales Operations team manager, there are certain seasons in which we need more focus, quicker response, and fast resolution times in order to have stability on our services. This comes in hand with appreciation, recognition and if possible, a type of internal compensation programs. Also, having a good coverage, automations, and structured way of working, help the team members to not feel overloaded. Open communication plays a key point in this scenario. This can help motivate and keep the momentum across the different members of the team and give exposure of their great work.
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To keep spirits high and avoid burnout in a lean team during a busy season, I focus on clear priorities, realistic workloads, and open communication. I ensure team members feel valued by recognizing their efforts, encouraging breaks, and fostering a supportive environment. Flexibility and small morale boosters, like team check-ins or appreciation gestures, help maintain motivation.
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Working with a lean team during a busy season requires setting clear expectations, providing regular constructive feedback, and ongoing support and encouragement. I ensure to have regular check-ins with my team in order to understand the challenges that they are facing and provide them the best possible solutions. It is also crucial to recognise and reward team members, no matter how small it is. I ensure to promote a flexi work arrangement that meets the individual needs. In this way we can raise team spirit and improve morale.
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when the session going on busy side and you obseverd some heat in it, inject some fun capsules timely to reduce the heat impact. In addition, discussion should be open and let them communicate, appreciate their concerns and efforts and expect realistic targets. Although, requirements are may be at higher end but being a leader you encourage them to work with a schedule so it may break the tasks down and easy to achieve. Recognize their work and the self "thank you" shout-out can make the day as well.
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Ótimas estratégias! Manter a equipe motivada em períodos de alta demanda é essencial para produtividade e bem-estar. Algumas abordagens que já vi funcionando bem incluem: Comunicação clara e transparente: Manter todos informados sobre prioridades e expectativas reduz a ansiedade e melhora o alinhamento. Delegação inteligente: Distribuir tarefas conforme as habilidades e interesses da equipe pode aumentar o engajamento. Apoio mútuo: Criar um ambiente onde os membros se sintam confortáveis para pedir ajuda evita sobrecarga. Momentos de descompressão: Pequenas atividades, como cafés coletivos ou dinâmicas rápidas, ajudam a aliviar o estresse.
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Leading a lean team through a busy season means setting clear priorities, maintaining well-being, and leading by example. - Focus on what matters – I prioritize pragmatically and avoid unnecessary pressure. - Lead by taking breaks – I take conscious breaks and encourage my team to do the same. - Make successes visible – Appreciation motivates more than pressure, whether through recognition or small gestures. - Enable flexibility – Trust and autonomy boost motivation. - Encourage open communication – I listen, address workload concerns, and create a supportive environment. For me, good leadership means creating the right conditions—and leading by example.
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Prioritized Tasks – Focused on critical deliverables while postponing non-urgent projects. Open Communication – Held daily check-ins to address concerns, share updates, and ensure well-being. Mental Health Support – Promoted work-life balance and encouraged use of wellness resources.
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