Self-sacrifice
Strangely, being overworked and overwhelmed is accepted and even normalized in some colleges and universities’ departments. Leaders may take pride in their hard work and self-sacrifice. They think they put their needs aside for the greater good. Honestly, if their sacrifice genuinely created value for others, and there was no other way to make it happen, I would support the idea. But it’s a myth. Being overworked and overwhelmed indicates lack of clarity on priorities and misguided use of time.
People who choose to act as martyrs often gain significance from it and underestimate what it’s truly costing them. Being overworked and overwhelmed doesn’t only mean working long days, having less free time for self-care and to be with loved ones. It’s highly detrimental to the quality of work done and to future potential for advancement. My intention in writing this article is to provide a wake-up call and inspire more higher ed. managers to change old habits and step into transformational leadership.
Managing versus leading
Being stretched thin temporarily is understandable in case of crisis (e.g. someone just quit), seasonal event (e.g. starting a new semester), or when there is a sharp learning curve (e.g. new job, new supervisor, or use of new technology). However, it shouldn’t be accepted as chronic problem. Do you often say or think the following statements?
“The only way to get it done right is to do it myself.”
“I can’t trust some of my staff members to do quality work or meet deadlines.”
“I don’t have time to keep them accountable.”
“I don’t have time to train them.”
“I don’t have time for activities that foster employee motivation.”
“I don’t have time to think about innovation or even improvement.”
“Vision? I don’t have time to create a compelling vision. I am just trying to keep my head above water.”
“I don’t have time to build professional relationships.”
Managers often feel crushed under the weight of their workload and go from one task to another without ever stepping back, reflecting, and setting a new intention. They spend their days reacting to what is happening around them and try to keep up. They forget the importance of being proactive and strategic. They forget to lead.
It hurts their teams
Reporting to someone who is a manager but not a leader is very stressful and discouraging. People don’t really know in what direction they are going or even how success would be defined. There is a pervasive sense of powerlessness. Not having an inspiring vision and a sense of purpose is confusing and draining. Problems are more likely to be ignored than resolved. High-performing staff members may be frustrated by the general lack of accountability and resent that under-performing employees are allowed to do little quality work. Employees who don’t feel understood and appreciated risk developing a poor attitude and can become toxic. Need I say more?
It hurts their career
Managers who take pride in telling everyone how busy they are don’t realize how they are perceived. Unless most people on the leadership team are the same way, they will stand out as being the ones who can’t handle their jobs. If they appear to be struggling and out of control, nobody will think of them when new positions open. The irony is that managers who sacrifice the most expect to be rewarded by being promoted but if they look overwhelmed, they won’t be trusted to move up to a higher level of responsibility.
How to Change
If you have been overworked and overwhelmed for a long time, you’ve probably convinced yourself that there is no way out. But there is. Start by getting clear on your priorities and stop giving time to things that distract you from what’s important. Get organized, set goals, and keep yourself accountable. Develop high-productivity habits. Make the best use possible of your human resources and delegate more. Create healthy boundaries with people, especially those who tend to take too much from you.
To succeed, you must stop telling yourself that there isn’t enough time and instead, realize there is enough time if you use it wisely. If you don’t change your mindset first, you will stay stuck in the same self-defeating habits and thoughts. Focus on solutions rather than problems. Keep an open mind.
For strategies to implement, I invite you to read these articles on my website. They will show you what you can do differently. If you want rapid progress, consider signing up for my self-paced time management program for only $47 (click here for details). Please note that change will require unwavering commitment and follow-through. You will have to stop yourself from reverting back to old habits. If you want to make sure you won’t let yourself down, let’s team up and I’ll keep you focused. Click here to schedule a complimentary call with me and we’ll discuss how we can work together to transform your work, accomplish more in less time, and become a stronger leader.
About the author: Dr. Audrey Reille has empowered thousands of professionals through one-on-one coaching, group coaching, speaking engagements, and online courses. Audrey is the go-to coach for leaders in higher education administration. She empowers them to thrive by reducing stress, optimizing strategies, improving professional relationships, and developing a strong and empowered mindset.