Leadership FAQs - March - Revisiting Project Overwhelm
One Friday each month I dedicate the post to looking at some questions I have heard recently from developing leaders. Sharing those questions and my thoughts for them is a way for me to spread the information to as many leaders and future leaders as possible. If you have a question about leadership, or just a situation you would like some additional insight on, please email me at Effective Retail Leader. Let’s take a look at this week’s question.In December I addressed a common question about feeling overwhelmed with different projects and not having enough time to spend with the team or for store visits. In that response I spoke about the value of time blocking and how that can assist in freeing up time to complete the things that are most important to you. That practice can establish good habits around scheduling your time throughout the week. There is a second component to that - the need to adjust on the fly and take advantage of all parts of the day.Time blocking is a great way to plan the week ahead and ensure you are hitting on all the areas you want each week. But not everything goes as planned. You need to evaluate the week as you go and assess the situation. Make a few minutes each day to review your plan and make minor course corrections as needed.
Daily Updates
I am sure everyone’s week always goes exactly as planned. Right? Of course not, this is retail. That means that even the best of plans at the beginning of the week will look a little different as the week progresses. Schedule yourself a short time each day to review where you are what comes next. I would recommend taking time at the end of each day to consider the current day and how that progressed and then make updates as needed for the next day. Perhaps as you complete your final visit for the day, you spend some time in your car, at a coffee shop, or as soon as you get home updating what needs to happen in the days ahead.
Balance Your Down Time
The time between visits can be incredibly valuable. The car can be a very productive place. Whether it is ‘windshield time’ with one your managers or time with your supervisor, don’t underestimate how much can be accomplished in those short bursts of time. I have completed many important tasks or conversations in those windows of time. Of course, making phone calls between visits is a good way to catch up on those quick touch base calls to stay connected with your team as well. However, this can also be time for yourself. I encourage you to make at least one of your ‘car periods’ for the day - either first trip in the morning, last of the day, or the one between stores near lunch to make that time for yourself. Listen to some music, a favorite podcast, or audiobook and let your mind wander a bit. It can actually become a great way to recharge after a couple of visits or to gather your thoughts before the first visit. Either way, ensure you plan to leave one of those trips just for yourself.
Schedule a Day For Development
Finish time for team development can always be a challenge. It is something we all need to happen, but all too often is also the easiest thing to skip when the schedule gets tight, or something unexpected comes into play. Development doesn’t have to mean a group meeting or even a specific topic for learning. Some of the best development days I have scheduled with my team have been about their individual development plans or even business reviews. Dedicated time to discuss how people of growing or leading their business are both types of development. Having a specific period for that outside of a store visit can ensure that there are fewer distractions and you are less likely to be drawn into different issues within the store. Block a day or two each month to have these discussions - whether they are in person or on the phone, it will make a difference to have the time set aside for this.Probably the most challenging thing I see for any level multi-unit leader to overcome is the pressure of history and habit. It is common to have seen previous leaders routinely (and even robotically) visit stores Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with an office day on Monday and sometimes Friday to take conference calls. It doesn’t have to be that way. It is okay to think outside those boxes and start visits later in the day after making productive phone calls in the morning, or the reverse, making your follow up calls in the afternoon. The best leaders do not measure themselves on the number of store visits they make. They measure themselves based on the quality of each connection with their team - whether that is in the store, on the phone, or in meetings. Plan ahead, and you will feel much better about the impact you are making, and your team will see the difference you make for them.Join other retail leaders in continuing their development journey with Effective Retail Leader.com. SUBSCRIBE today to receive leadership tips directly to your inbox and monthly newsletters that provide many tools to help further develop your leadership skills. JOIN NOW!No spam ever - just leadership goodness.Photo by Emily Morter on Unsplash