A team may encounter challenges in meeting deadlines for various reasons. One common factor is inadequate communication, where team members may not have a clear understanding of expectations, leading to confusion and misalignment. Insufficient resources, whether in terms of manpower, technology, or time, can also impede progress. Team dynamics, including conflicts or a lack of cohesion, may contribute to delays and hinder collective efforts. Today’s topic addresses one reason team members miss deadlines that may not be due to external factors. Procrastination. Identifying and addressing these factors through effective communication, positive reinforcement, and team-focused activities are critical to overcoming challenges and ensuring deadlines are met timely. Let’s find out how.
Perfectionism: Employees may put off tasks because they want everything to be perfect. To address this, employers can encourage employees to set realistic goals and deadlines. Additionally, offer opportunities to review the work while it is still in progress, so the employee feels more comfortable about their approach. Remind the employee that it is better to get something done on time than to be late, even if “perfect”. Help the employee understand that requirements change all the time. So, even if a request is completed perfectly, a change in the request makes the additional time spent null and void. Time management training is also essential for the perfectionist employee.
Lack of Motivation: Employees may procrastinate because they lack motivation or don’t see the value in their work. Consistent feedback and acknowledging the employee’s efforts can help to address this. Some employees require additional validation regarding their work. This does not mean all work should be praised. Feedback, good or bad, is imperative to employees lacking motivation. However, negative feedback should include steps to correct – an action plan. When an employee lacks motivation, criticism should be provided in a “Feedback Sandwich” so the employee is motivated to work the task to completion.
Feedback Sandwich = Acknowledge what was attempted (bread) + Corrective action (meat) + Word of Encouragement (bread)
Here is what this looks like:
“I appreciate the work you put into creating your reconciliations.” (bread)
“The supporting activity appears to be missing. The support/source of truth should be included in all reconciliations. This helps to validate the values represented within the Balance Sheet reconciliation.” (meat)
“Once you add the support, your reconciliations will be complete. Good job on what has been completed thus far. I can tell you understand the concept of what you need to do.” (bread)
Collaboration: Collaboration creates accountability. Working together also helps to establish relationships within the team and address concerns with team members who may be alienated from the rest of the team, and unsure about their place within the team. When team members collaborate, they foster creativity, give each other critical feedback, and inspire each other. All of this enables team members to focus and work together to move forward. A lack of collaboration, on the other hand, can lead to directionless team members, and potentially more procrastinators. Effective collaboration also means using the right tools and processes. Things like multitasking or not having the right spaces to collaborate can create more confusion and overwhelm team members.
Employees who are overwhelmed with their current workload or those who are unable to focus can find themselves with the symptoms of procrastination. Keep an open line of communication with your employees where they feel comfortable speaking with you if they are starting to feel stressed or overburdened. Boredom can also be a cause of procrastination. Employees who are not challenged can get bored with their current tasks and the monotony of day-to-day. Give employees project-based work to help them focus on a task. Employees who lack self-confidence may procrastinate due to a fear of being put in the spotlight – in a negative way. Managers must be careful when dealing with these employees because they can hide in the background when working in a group. Encourage each team member to present or be responsible for a specific part of the assigned project. Be sure to communicate clearly and consistently.
Sherrika empowers women in accounting who are high-performers but not getting the recognition they deserve, feeling they are being shut down or shut out, and not being paid their worth. She was once in this same predicament and learned how to use her voice to get the respect, recognition, and pay increases that aligned with her promotions. She desires to help other women do the same. If you are a woman in accounting who is feeling the burden of a profession you love that no longer loves you back and seeking to enhance your professional profitability and thrive in any setting, click on the following link for a Complimentary Consultation. Sherrika believes in a judgment-free zone where all contributors work towards a common goal.
About Sherrika
With over 15 years in corporate accounting within PE-backed and privately held organizations, Sherrika Sanders established Transform the GAAP (Goals Assigned Achieving Purpose) to leverage her knowledge and experience as an accomplished corporate accountant to empower overlooked women in accounting who lack the career development or progressive growth required to confidently assert themselves and secure a promotion. She helps realign them with who they are (values), how they show up (beliefs), and how to thrive in any professional setting (promotion) as they advance in corporate America. Sherrika was once in this same predicament and learned how to use her voice to get respect, recognition, and pay increases that aligned with her promotions. She wants to help other women do the same.
Sherrika has successfully managed teams of various sizes with employees in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Despite her growth, Sherrika felt her voice stifled, working without balance or flexibility. She was constantly reminded she should be proud of being the only one in the room who looked like her (especially with her non-traditional education). Sherrika felt her voice was taken. After years of no work-life balance, taking work vacations based on the company's schedule, and being expected to always be available for the needs of the organization, Sherrika decided enough was enough and started the transition to find and use her voice. Sherrika ultimately resigned from her role as Corporate Controller to take a leap of faith and start her own company, Transform the GAAP (Goals Assigned Achieving Purpose), where she specializes in empowering other women in accounting to understand and overcome obstacles currently hindering them from excelling in their careers. Sherrika holds a Bachelor's in Accounting, an MBA, and a Master's in Organizational Leadership.
Sherrika's passion is to equip accounting professionals with the skills necessary to thrive in any setting. Visit https://www.transformthegaap.com/ to learn more.
The Transform Tuesdays newsletter was created to help professionals navigate the world of corporate America by overcoming the hurdles hindering them from growing to the next level in their careers, including knowing their value, using their voice, and being authentic to themselves.
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