If you’ve ever stared at your calendar and thought, “There’s no way I’ll get through all of this,” this one’s for you. And it’s not just you… everyone I work with right now is maxed out.
But here’s the thing: when leaders are stretched too thin, it doesn’t just affect them. It spills over to the team.
On this week’s episode of The New Manager Playbook Podcast, I break down what’s happening and how to turn the tide.
🎧 Listen on YouTube // Apple // Spotify 🎧
The Trap: Clinging to Control
When you’re overloaded, it’s tempting to dive into the tactical stuff. It feels productive. But doing everything yourself is not only unsustainable, it sidelines your team.
The irony? By trying to help, you actually disempower. Your team checks out, waits for you to make decisions, and stops taking initiative. You lose time and momentum.
Here are 5 simple ways to get some time back in your week and keep your team firing on all cylinders.
1. Audit and Delegate Meetings
Start with recurring meetings. Which ones truly need you there? Hand off a couple to your team or ask someone to shadow you this week with the plan to take over.
This small shift can free up hours and signals trust in your team.
2. Ramp Your Team Strategically
If you’re thinking, “No one else can run this meeting,” that’s a development gap. Use this as a wake-up call to build up your team’s capabilities, starting with low-risk opportunities to lead and make decisions.
Scaling yourself starts with coaching, not cloning.
3. Communicate Stability, Not Chaos
Stress is contagious. If you’re frantic, your team will be too. Communicate urgency with calm leadership. Instead of, “We’re drowning,” try, “We’re sprinting right now. Here’s how I’ll support you.”
Your tone sets the tone.
4. Delegate Meaningfully
Not all handoffs are created equal. When delegating, explain how the work connects to someone’s career growth, visibility, or skills. It turns a tactical task into a meaningful opportunity.
Clarity creates buy-in.
5. Define the Cut Line
Here’s the hard truth: not everything will get done. And pretending it will just leads to overcommitment and burnout.
Be honest about what’s realistic. If something is below the cut line, say so. This allows for better prioritization and helps your team avoid hidden failures.
According to McKinsey, employees waste up to 20% of their time in low-value activities. That’s a full day a week. Shifting even a few hours can unlock huge impact (source: McKinsey, 2023).
These changes don’t just give you time back. they build a stronger, more resilient team.
