Does “Make Work” Make Sense?

Compassionate time management in a time of crisis.

Image via Bumble Bizz

Hello from my home office where the sun is shining and the sound of Zoom booting up sends my dogs into a barking frenzy.

We’re on what feels like week 99 of protective measures (aka lockdown) and despite additional challenges, many workplaces are still plodding forward with the idea of a rigid 40-hour work week. School is on hold, emotions are running high, and we’re still trying to be productive. Some of this pressure to produce manifests in the idea to get everything organized. Got extra time? Why not roll out new software, or a new project management framework? Isn’t it a good time to, you know, catch up?

When faced with potential downtime — as a result of decreased demand, projects on pause, or simply less time spent on commuting and socializing in the office — lots of managers are looking for tasks to fill their schedule and those of their direct reports. We’re upending processes, catching up on backlogs, and clearing inboxes. Factor in the undeniable pressure to prove your value as a payrolled employee when so many people are facing unemployment, and some people are feeling busier than ever before.

One of our clients, an in-person service provider, is by all measures a good employer. They’ve decided to weather the storm as a team, avoiding layoffs and, while they can’t get any of their core work done, they’re getting organized. Instead of visiting clients, they’re clearing paperwork. But soon, something odd was happening. Despite the simplicity of the tasks at hand, folks were having trouble completing them. What was happening?

Crossing long overdue tasks off of your to-do list can feel good, but it’s also true that repetitive tasks and “make work” projects are tied to burn-out at a higher rate. Think about it; you can work all night on that side hustle project you’re excited about — but most of us can’t say the same for a thankless task like inventory. Throw in the stress of a pandemic and we’ve reached a conclusion: Chill. If it’s not important, perhaps it can wait.

What to do? Just chill. Illustration by binchplease

So, what should we be doing? If business is a bit slower, or you can’t complete all your tasks from home, here’s how to fill your team’s time:

1. Don’t. That’s right — tip one is just don’t fill that time. No, you can’t walk away from the day-to-day tasks that keep this company running, but if you find yourself with an empty slot, use it to do something non-work related. Ever heard of the “shower thoughts” concept? Simple tasks like walking, gardening, showering or even sleeping have all been linked to creative decision making. Take a little pressure off and you may just find the solution to a big problem comes your way.
2. Reframe your perspective on productivity. Especially if you are new to management, or still spend a portion of your time “in the trenches”, it can be natural to try and measure productivity as something that creates a tangible product. But reducing our complicated lives to a single KPI simply doesn’t cut it during a global crisis. Focus on more qualitative milestones to keep you on track and measure progress while balancing competing priorities. Include personal wellness goals and encourage your team to do the same — preventing burnout is a total win on the productivity scale!
3. Set a good example. Are you putting in 10 hour days and emailing people you work with at night? And then telling your co-workers to take all the time they need to care for their families? Well, nobody is buying it. Putting yourself under an immense amount of stress sends a clear message to your team to follow your lead — regardless of how many times you tell them otherwise.
   What can you do? Spend time reflecting on the signals you unwittingly send out. What kind of manager do you want to be, and how can you signal those things instead? Are there management styles you can learn about or other ways you can improve your management technique? Time invested in yourself is never time wasted and your team will benefit (just don’t spring any drastic changes on them right now!).

It makes sense to reevaluate your processes during supposed downtime; to finally get those files organized in a logical way; to clear the backlog of tickets and emails. But it makes even more sense to invest in the health of your team so that you can proudly lead them into the next era of work.

Remember to be compassionate to yourself first, and your team will follow.

ZJ

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About us:

Bright + Early is a modern HR consultancy on a mission to craft the world’s best workplaces. We partner with early to mid-stage companies who need to scale fast but stay friendly. Nothing in place? Don’t know where to start? No problem.