Workload: You can’t navigate a new path with an old map.
Workload issues aren’t solved by doing things the way we’ve always done them.
Workload – or more accurately “job demands” continue to hit the problem list on staff survey results with volume of work, and timelines in which to complete the work the main culprits.
But there’s so much more to it than that, and Leaders everywhere are pulling their hair out trying to understand how to meet organisational demands and monitor, measure and manage their own and their team’s workload.
Let’s look at why this topic is so sticky.
When someone says “my workload is too much”, the first instinct is often to look at the volume of work.
But in reality, workload is rarely driven by one thing. It’s usually a combination of factors working together. In my work with leaders, we explore workload through a few key lenses:
Individual factors
Things like your boundaries and the internal beliefs that shape how you approach work.
Internal work environment
The systems, culture and ways of working inside your organisation, including norms around responsiveness, meetings and what gets rewarded.
External stakeholders
The non-negotiable demands coming from outside your immediate team; clients, regulators, partners and industry expectations.
Boundary strength
How clearly you’re able to define, hold and communicate your capacity, and what happens when those boundaries are tested.
Recovery
Whether there is genuine space to rest, reset and recover between periods of demand.
Leadership support
The quality of support, clarity and modelling coming from leaders above you and how that shapes expectations and workload flow.
When you look at workload through all of these lenses, it becomes much clearer why two people with similar roles can have completely different experiences of pressure and why Leaders are finding this such a complex space to get right.
When I work with high performing individuals who are struggling to manage their “workload” the first step is a diagnostic to understand which variables are the main problems. This helps us focus in on the actions that matter.
This comprehensive diagnostic is part of the Brilliantly Balanced program which is an intensive six month 1:1 coaching program yielding phenomenal results for participants.
But to help others, we’ve created a simplified version of this diagnostic that you can take to start seeing how these lenses play out in reality.
We’ve called this the Workload Diagnostic Quiz.
Want to see where you score in each of these categories? Take the quiz here: https://lnkd.in/gANxbJ7j
If you’re a leader, HR/OD lead or individual looking for answers around job demand pressures get in touch to see how I can help.
What participants say about Brilliantly Balanced:
“I entered the Brilliantly Balance program with an open mind and a genuine curiosity about how I could create meaningful change in my busy life. From the very first session, I began uncovering insights about myself that I had never fully understood, especially the “why” behind how I respond to challenges and situations. Each month, I’ve been encouraged to step outside my comfort zone and embrace my own personal growth. Tanya has an exceptional ability to read people, not just through their words, but through their body language and how they present themselves. This has been a journey of self-discovery, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Tanya throughout this program.”
– Wendy – Head of Department, Education Sector
It was such a pleasure to be in Tanya’s care — and that truly is what it feels like: care. Our professional relationship was authentic, warm, and deeply supportive. Tanya is a remarkable champion of people, especially mothers striving to be high achievers in the workplace. She offers thought-provoking feedback and leaves you with meaningful questions and practical insights you can immediately put into action. She has an incredible ability to identify exactly which tools and perspectives you need to navigate the challenges you’re facing. I cannot recommend Tanya’s mentorship highly enough. I’m incredibly grateful to my organisation for supporting this opportunity and even more grateful for Tanya simply being Tanya.”
– Kristy Crawford – Leader, Local Government
“I came to Tanya as a self-confessed people pleasing perfectionist and was just a little bit broken. I was so overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of others I could no longer function properly. Now, for the first time in my very long career, I have boundaries that I thrive in, know when to say No, and understand the importance and value of self-appreciation and the power of ‘ish’ These changes, built session by session have touched every aspect of my life and I am a far better person for it. I could not recommend Tanya and her program enough. She is authentic, practical and the perfect balance of kindness and tough love.”
– Tara, Program Participant
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