I think an important work of the effective Team Leader (that’s you, by the way) is to chop up deadlines suggested by your team members.
Every now and then, I want something done and my guys are suggesting long, far off deadlines. I make my “do-you-want-to-progress?” face* and demand to get the first draft much sooner than that.
We get it done during the shorter time frame.
I think setting very far away deadlines on projects is a manifestation of fear. Fear stops us from tackling the work head-on! We then start various evasive manoeuvre tactics.
Set a deadline. A short one. Don’t keep stalling forever.
Pick a date and work towards it.
If the deadline is so far away, we begin to doubt you.
*Do-you-want-to-progress? face: Its an inside joke.
—
P.S.
The reason I can chop the deadline in 3 and still get it done is because I understand the work. If you do not understand what it takes to produce the work you are demanding, please do some research. Don’t be a lame boss making unrealistic deadlines, you will lose it.
