It’s Getting HOT!

It’s mid-July and it is hot here in North Central Washington State. The weather is beautiful with brilliant blue skies, inviting us to go outside and play. However, for most of us, this means getting our hike or bike ride in before 10 or 11 o’clock in the morning is critical. We need to adjust our plans and efforts to match the environment we are in. This is true in our role as leaders as well. In order to be most effective at promoting change or innovation, we must keep an eye on the weather. Is the team stressed or just “heads down” busy? Are they change saturated right now? Have they received enough positive feedback for the efforts they have already made? Sometimes pushing headlong into a new effort with a team that is already at 110% is like heading out on a big bike ride on a 95-degree day. Plan and time your effort for the greatest effect. Take stock of your team and know when to push and when to wait for better conditions.