Go Easy

The temperature was hot in the office and the air-conditioning was on. I wish it was the weather that was causing me concern.

People. Deadlines. Vacation. What a combination. Put these three together and give it a good shake. A fiery, hot office is what you get. I thought buying ice cream might just cool matters, but the glare I got caused that idea to thaw.

For the last few years we’ve completely shut down the office for two weeks in mid-summer. For lots of really good reasons it’s the best way to go. All we needed to do was work together to complete all work on deadline and then lock the door on Friday afternoon. Simple, eh?

First of all, the closer people get to vacation time, the harder they work to get everything done, usually resulting in increased irritability and tension. It’s like taking a horse for a ride–they run the fastest when they are headed back for the barn. You would think that the manager of projects (that would be me) would have learned from years past that scheduling so many projects with a deadline of the Friday before holidays is not such a good idea. When will I ever learn…

Knowing that ice cream wouldn’t solve the increasing heat in the office, my next strategy was to encourage everyone to go easy—with each other and with the projects we were working on. Although easier said than done, as competent and caring people want to achieve their goals, I felt that I had to be the one setting the “go easy” pace. So I arrived hours before everyone else and stayed exceptionally late so that I could be in a “go easy” space during the day. I think we’d call this a double standard. I was able to rationalize this somehow although for the life of me I don’t remember the “logic” I used on myself.

My secret strategy only lasted a few days and then others starting showing up early and staying late too. Our work-life balance model flew out the window.

So the strategies of ice cream and deceit didn’t amount to anything but more concern. With my thinking cap back on, I decided to ponder what my beloved friend, Dr. Sandy Cotton, would do. And as quick as a flash I knew his answer: Talk about it. Have an open dialogue about the constraints and pressure we are all feeling. Remember that we care about one another and that we would never want to do anything to intentionally hurt one another. Acknowledge that as competent professionals we want to deliver the best. Believe that work/life balance will be restored once again.

Well, the staff meeting was powerful and brief. Everyone needed to hear from each other and know that we were on the same page, striving for the same goals. The shift was quite quick—we were able to be easier with each other and the projects we were working on. We became human again.

There was a surprising result in all of this. It seemed like everything was easier—truly easier. Imagine it… we work­ed slower, we were easier with each other and the work got done faster. And it appears that the air conditioner got fixed because the office is now not as hot.

I think I’ll go for an ice cream and ponder this some more.

Article originally published in Volume 9-5 of Your Workplace magazine