MikeWe may not be in the final stages of the pandemic, but leaders are experiencing considerable accumulated fatigue right now. And with that fatigue comes a greater risk of “injury.” For example, you might make a poor decision because you were too tired to think about who would be affected. Or you make a rash statement in a moment of frustration. Some slips are minor but others can cost you the “game.”
In many sports, injuries are more frequent in the latter stages of a game. Why is that? I’m not a physiology expert, but the simple explanation is that the accumulated fatigue makes the athlete’s muscles less resilient and therefore more susceptible to injury.
No leader can avoid making mistakes. But taking a page from the sports world, you can improve your chances for success. How?
- Ask for a sub. Substitutes are a normal and necessary part of the game in team sports. A sub brings fresh energy and allows other players to rest so that they can be at their best when they return. Can you allow a sub to take some of the leadership tasks off your shoulders?
- Recognize signs of fatigue. There isn’t a formula to determine when an athlete needs to take a break. That decision depends on the awareness of the athlete (or the coach). What signs let you know when you’re pushing too hard? Does someone close to you have permission to speak up when you need a break?
- Play your role. Some people run out of energy sooner than they should because they’re trying to do their job and someone else’s. It doesn’t work for an athlete to play several positions at the same time, and it won’t work for you either.
- Use time off the field wisely. Have you noticed an athlete on the sideline riding an exercise bike or getting attention from a trainer? They’re not doing it because they have nothing better to do. They’re doing it so that they can get back in the game. What changes do you need to make so that your time off is restorative?
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