Very often we see what other people possess and decide quite automatically that we want to have those things as well. As we go about getting what we think we need and want, there are more things that show themselves as must haves, and the vicious circle begins all over again. All this apart however, there is another very common human characteristic that actually causes us way too much of strain. This characteristic is more defined in some, and is a bane to their existence. I am talking about none other than the ‘Do it all's'. Who are these magnificent, magical creatures? They are the ones who say a happy yes to every task thrown their way. They are also those who take on more and more responsibility without clearing out their tables which are still full of duties from their prior tasks.
All around the world, in every organisation, institution, office, family and classroom, there lies this individual who I see as the work octopus. This individual, unlike a real octopus doesn't really have the eight arms they think they do and lands up falling all over themselves in tasks that are only half completed. These types of individuals definitely bite off way more than they can chew and thus eventually find it difficult to swallow. Putting a finger in every pie and not knowing which to prioritise makes working with these people extremely difficult. What's worse? Working for people like this. Imagine a life of uncertainty, where rules, procedures and environments keep changing before due time of settling in has occurred. When an individual who likes to ‘do it all' runs a place and has people reporting to him or her, those who report are always left running from pillar to post trying to get stuff done.
An individual like this is a mind at unrest. Someone who finds it difficult to organise his/her thoughts well enough to make rational decisions. How then can someone like this lead a team? Well, this person can never really lead as rationality is one of the most distinct attributes that separates the leaders from the bosses. Very often, these individuals are the ones who have assumed a position of power without being fully ready for the job. When an individual doesn't really know what they are doing, they complicate matters both, for themselves and for others. One way to deal with this, is to have individuals properly trained, have them actually learn from an expert and shadow that person around at least for some time and do constant evaluations of the individuals work. If an individual like this is just allowed to run helter-skelter, the results can be catastrophic. Almost like a hurricane whizzing into the organization, turning everything on its head and creating destruction in its wake. As quickly as the wind blows, it also dies down equally fast.
For those having to deal with these individuals on a daily basis, one of the best things to do is to learn to work at your pace but also learn to prioritise well enough to compensate for the hurricane floating around in the corridors. Being able to be heard and also mastering the art of categorising for the other are important ways to help you maintain your own balance in the world. Realising that this is a type of personality that needs structure and also understand that you need to provide that structure and stability, will help both you and your highly-strung companion to get the job done and to get it done well. It is all about finding the optimal balance and rhythm within your team, equalising the playing field by delegating according to skill that things will begin to work much more smoothly. At this juncture, it is also extremely important to mention that individuals like this aren't bad. In fact, they could be over achievers in need of a signal to slow down. In such cases, all you need to do is be the pace finder, be the supportive help, be the calming presence and learn to take the lead. It is not about stepping on anyone's toes and disobeying policy, procedure and hierarchy. It is about doing what is right for the majority and being the balancer of the scales. For in a connected team, where people are all interdependent, if one bites off more than they can chew, there should be others who will step in and know exactly what to do.
(Charlene Farrell is a counselling psychologist who works extensively with children and adolescents. She also counsels and works with individuals of all ages. Emotional well-being, to her, is of utmost importance to a fruitful existence)
