Most organizations are lean, driving reductions in costs with high expectations for productivity.  Teams may be operating with a fraction of the staff they’ve had in past years.  Many times there is not a corresponding reduction in the volume of work and projects.  As a result, employees are performing multiple roles, working long hours, and juggling competing priorities to bridge the gap.

Even the most conscientious, productive, organized person may not respond promptly, miss a deadline, make an error, or express frustration under pressure.  How Can We Help Each Other – Extend Grace!

How Do We Do It?

• Give the benefit of the doubt – operate from a place that it was not intentional (vs. how could this happen and there’s no excuse)
• Cover them – don’t expose them – reach out one-on-one to reach a solution vs. broadcasting the issue (using “reply all” to an email or sharing the issue with other colleagues)
• Act like a partner – not a demanding customer who gives no room for error when working with support teams or suppliers
• Keep it in perspective – there is always a solution and often it’s not an earth shattering scenario!
• Don’t respond in-kind if grace is not extended to you – your response can change the tone and outcome of the situation

Taking this approach can build a mutual respect and a loyalty which drives “discretionary” effort – that’s the effort that’s above and beyond what they are obligated to do.  It’s a game changer in today’s environment.

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