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Overzealous Colleagues or Managers: Everyone’s style of working is unique. I have been working for the last 18 years in a corporate environment and have collaborated with numerous individuals, each possessing unique skill sets with both pros and cons. One thing I have always observed, including in my own work, is the tendency to keep pushing for more. While it is undeniable that the pursuit of excellence is essential, there is a critical threshold or line that we all must set to ensure we are not excessively zealous.
If you, your colleague, or your manager can relate to the above scenario, then this article is for you.
It’s not uncommon to encounter colleagues or managers who are consistently pushing for more, eager to impress higher-ups by initiating new projects and tasks. While ambition and dedication are commendable qualities, an constant drive for more without considering the impact on work-life balance can lead to decreased morale and patience among you and team members.
Overzealous Colleagues or Managers
How to handle a colleague or manager who continually pushes for more without regard for maintaining a healthy work-life balance
1. Understand Their Perspective
Before jumping to conclusions or harboring negative feelings, try to understand the perspective of the colleague or manager in question. They might be under pressure themselves to meet ambitious targets or are genuinely enthusiastic about their work. Acknowledging their intentions can create a foundation for open communication.
Sometimes, the challenge lies in our tendency to view anything negative or unsupportive as inherently wrong. However, the universe doesn’t necessarily align with such perspectives, and the person on the other side may be grappling with similar thoughts. It’s crucial to openly discuss and share our true feelings or concerns. If the person we’re talking to is not receptive, that’s a separate issue, but initiating that conversation is our responsibility to gain a fair understanding of their perspective.
2. Set Clear Boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries is very important when dealing with colleagues or managers who constantly push for more. For example:
- Clearly communicate your workload, priorities, and capacity.
- Express your willingness to contribute but emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. (ofcourse you/we need to be very clear on our work scope you have been hired for)
- Setting boundaries can help manage expectations and prevent burnout.
3. Communicate Effectively
As i mentioned in the first point – engage in an open and honest communication with the colleague or manager. Share your concerns about the impact on your well-being and productivity.
Use “I” statements to express how their actions are affecting you personally.
For example, say, “I feel overwhelmed with the current workload, and I believe it’s impacting my ability to deliver quality work.”
4. Prioritize and Delegate
When faced with an influx of tasks, it’s essential to prioritize effectively. Identify tasks that align with your skill set and expertise, and delegate responsibilities when possible.
Communicate with your colleague or manager about your priorities, and work together to ensure that tasks are distributed appropriately.
5. Suggest Efficient Work Processes
If the constant push for new projects is creating inefficiencies, propose more effective work processes. Set clear timelines and use tools or Gant charts to clearly show when these proposed projects will be completed for fair understanding. (document, document, document) – I know what you are thinking, more administrative task right – I hear that. When you are working with people having similar traits you dont have an option unless you wanna continue working there.
Like this could involve streamlining existing projects, leveraging technology to automate repetitive tasks, or implementing project management tools to enhance collaboration.
Presenting solutions can demonstrate your commitment to productivity without sacrificing work-life balance.
6. Seek Support from Higher-ups
If open communication and boundary setting do not yield positive results, consider seeking support from higher-ups or human resources. This should be the last resort and most of the times it doesn’t go well, do read your employment handbook so you know the processes well.
Share your concerns and provide specific examples of how the excessive workload is affecting your performance and well-being. A neutral third party may be able to mediate the situation and find a balanced resolution.
7. Focus on Self-Care
Take long walks, ofcourse some breaks too, practice mindfulness, and ensure you are maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Talk to someone reliable this solves 90% of the problems – no need to complain though so the other person get tired of your rant.
Final Thoughts
Handling a overzealous colleagues or managers who is always pushing for more can be challenging, but it’s essential to address the situation proactively. Understanding their perspective, setting clear boundaries, communicating effectively, and prioritizing self-care, you can navigate the workplace with resilience and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Remember that open communication and collaboration are key to finding solutions that benefit both individual well-being and overall team success.
Do you work or have worked with similar people? leave your stories below – be nice 🙂
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