His ability to complete the work on time will impact the team’s ability to meet its deadline. You feel frustration and anxiety bubbling up in you. You wonder, how do I respond in this situation?
Maybe you blame yourself. You ask yourself, why didn’t I see this coming? How could I have prevented it from getting to this point? Or, maybe you direct your frustration at the person who isn’t pulling his weight. You blame him for not being more productive and organized in his work. It’s not you, it’s him! You might tell yourself to be patient with him and try to work it out. You remind him of the deadline and maybe you approve overtime to get the job done, but your real goal is to make sure you protect your own reputation. Perhaps instead you feel sorry for the individual and the pressure he is under. You step in and fix the problem by taking the work back from him and doing it yourself.
Instead of any of these reactions, slow down your thinking and try approaching the situation from a completely different angle. How might you think more holistically about the positive potential in this dilemma? You might see an opportunity for this team member to learn, for you to grow as a manager, and for the team to collaborate more effectively.
Sit back and recognize your own response to the situation. What’s the energy behind your thoughts and how does that help or impede finding a solution? It’s tough to be creative at solving a problem when we’re feeling stressed. The facts of the situation are unchanged, the deadline is fast approaching. It is your belief about what is really possible that drives your reaction or response. How can you get out of your own way and move forward productively?
The next time you find yourself in a similar situation, try this: