There’s a particular type of insomnia that only leaders experience.
It’s that bolt-upright-at-3am moment when you suddenly wonder:
- “Wait… did that project get done?”
- “Is that team member even coming to work tomorrow?”
- “Did my instructions reach the right person?”
In this week’s episode of The New Manager Playbook podcast, I tackle this universal leadership anxiety and share the surprisingly simple solution that’s helping my clients reclaim their sleep, their dinners, and their sanity.
🎧 Listen to the episode on Apple // Spotify // Watch on YouTube 🎧
The Project Management Paradox
Most leaders believe they’ve solved visibility challenges by implementing robust project management systems. Asana, ClickUp, Monday.com, or your company’s internal tools promise comprehensive tracking of every task.
But here’s the problem: While these systems give you the granular details, they don’t give you the high level big picture that’s actually keeping you up at night.
The truth is, scrolling through task lists at 11 PM doesn’t provide the bird’s-eye view that allows us to truly disconnect. What’s missing isn’t more detail, it’s meaningful synthesis.
The Snippets Solution
After seeing this pattern repeat across organizations from tech giants to small agencies, I developed a deceptively simple tool that’s transforming how teams communicate: The Snippets Template.
Grab your copy at: liagarvin.com/snippets
This free resource asks team members to share weekly:
- Top three focus areas for the coming week
- Wins and accomplishments from the current week
- Areas where they’re stuck or need support
One agency owner I worked with implemented this after struggling with a team member who always seemed busy never really finished anything. He couldn’t tell if she was overwhelmed or underutilized, and started so sense her frustration when he was always checking in.
The Snippets Template provided the clarity he needed without the micromanagement that would have sent his team member looking for the nearest exit.
Why This Works When Other Tools Fail
The magic isn’t in the template itself, it’s in how it transforms communication patterns:
- It focuses on outcomes, not activities: Instead of listing tasks, it captures meaningful progress and obstacles
- It normalizes asking for help: By making “stuck points” a standard weekly check-in item, it removes the stigma of raising issues, or every manager’s favorite “I didn’t want to bother you…”
- It creates a “win log”: The accomplishments section serves as what I call a “personal hype-file,” documenting successes that might otherwise go unnoticed
- It surfaces misalignment early: When a team member’s priorities don’t match yours, you discover this Friday afternoon, not Wednesday when the deadline is missed
But perhaps most importantly, it builds what every team needs: a shared reality.
The Critical Implementation Secret
Now, I know you’re excited, but before you roll it out, this will make ALL THE DIFFERENCE:
Never position this as something you need as the boss.
I’ve seen leaders attempt to implement this by saying, “I need to know what you’re working on” or calling it a “status report” both guaranteed to create resistance.
Instead, frame it as a team resource:
- “This helps us make sure everyone has clear priorities each week”
- “This gives us a place to celebrate wins and build your promotion case”
- “This ensures you have a dedicated channel to raise concerns before they become blockers”
With that framing your team members are thinking “sign me up!”
🎧 Listen to the episode on Apple // Spotify // Watch on YouTube 🎧
The Bigger Leadership Lesson
The Snippets Template illustrates a fundamental truth about effective leadership communication: People engage with processes they see benefit in.
This isn’t about “coddling” team members. It’s about basic human psychology and effective influence. When people understand how something serves them, compliance transforms into commitment.
Try It Yourself
Leaders implementing this approach report transformative results:
- Peaceful nights without work anxiety
- Clear weekly priorities that keep everyone aligned
- Early detection of roadblocks before they become emergencies
- A comprehensive record of accomplishments for reviews and promotions
The Snippets Template is completely FREE, and you can grab it here: liagarvin.com/snippets
When you go to download the template, I’ve created a video walking through exactly how to roll it out to your team because like I said, the introduction is everything.
As one client told me after implementing this: “I actually took a weekend off for the first time in two years without checking my phone every hour. It was life-changing.”
What strategies have you found to maintain visibility without micromanagement? Share your approaches in the comments.
