How to Solve the Laziness Problem at Work

How many times have you been frustrated with an employee who obviously lacked the interest and motivation to give their best?

Let me guess – plenty.

Your frustration is increased because you sensed that they could do it if only they wanted to.

We often hope peer pressure from the team will ignite a fire in their belly.

But that rarely happens.

What does happen is the performance of the entire team starts to sink.

Before long, you realize the team is failing miserably.

And people are noticing.

Your frustration increases and the first tell-tale signs of anger emerge. Pep talks and write ups aren’t working. Daily huddles aren’t having the impact you expected. HR hasn’t provided the transformation you had hoped for.

Now you might start experiencing a slight panic and you begin throwing every “fix it” strategy you can think of at the employee.

You begin to feel like the situation is hopeless.

In the book Extreme Ownership written by two Navy SEAL officers there is a story I want to summarize.

During Hell Week SEAL trainers were watching two crews with growing interest.  Crew II was dominating every challenge and Crew VI was losing every challenge.  

Someone suggested they switch leaders. The leader of the winning Crew II team became the new leader of losing Crew VI and the Crew VI leader now would lead Crew II.

The Crew VI leader after being rescued from his team of low performers felt like he was finally being given the chance to show what he could do. 

The Crew II leader was understandably none too thrilled lose the status and camaraderie with his team for a new team of misfits.  

Guess what happened?

Yeah, you know.

Crew VI now began to dominate challenges.  It wasn’t the Team.  It was the Leader.

If you have a laziness problem, I suggest you have a management style problem.

And right now, just hearing that puts you on the defensive and you are at this moment justifying all the reasons why it’s not your fault. I get it. We all do it. Hell, I still do it and I know better.  It’s human nature to protect our ego.

We rarely start with a hard look in the mirror to ask ourselves “How might I be contributing to this problem?” 

But that truly is where we need to start. 

Let’s look at two reason you have a sub-optimal team and what you can do about it.

Reason #1 – You’ve got the wrong people on the team.

In working with leaders this is where I start.

• What is the strategy of the team?

• What are the roles on the team & KPIs?

• Are the right people in the right role?

Reason #2 – You’ve never been taught how to mobilize and motivate teams.

• Deep dive into self-awareness: what comes naturally and how you show up to others

• Skill up your interviewing and on-boarding process

• Understand the motivating needs of the people on your team and adjust your style as needed

• Master the 1:1 feedback and coaching loops

This sounds easy – but it’s hard.

I believe if you have the determination and desire to lead, you can lead.

If your organization isn’t willing to invest in your development, either find another organization or make the investment yourself.  

People want to believe leadership skills can be self-taught. People buy leadership materials with the hope it will bring lasting change. And when they don’t get the results they hoped for, they try another book, podcast or 2-day workshop.

People don’t learn by reading, they learn by doing and by having the right support. Ask any person who has achieved greatness and they undoubtedly will tell you there was someone on the other end that made it possible.

Think back to a time you were on a winning team…

How did you feel?

• Included

• Valued

• Challenged

• Excited

• All in

• What else

It’s not the same as watching your favorite team on TV, is it?  You don’t get that feeling watching a Ted Talk on leadership, either.

No, what I am talking about is more.  It’s deeper.  It’s an *experience* that is well, experienced in-person. The energy is palpable. You can’t wait for the chance to prove yourself. Your teammates believe in you. Your confidence soars. Your energy is boundless.  You are truly All In.   

Developing yourself is no difference. With the right person supporting you, Greatness is Achievable.

I invite you to check out our management programs at Smart Leader.

As always, I welcome your comments and personal stories.