JAKE: Show season is upon us and we have just come off the back of Chelsea which is about as high pressure as you get within the industry. With all the great benefits for us it can cause pressure points for individuals and businesses. What would you say to anyone entering into a very busy period?
SAM: For me, starting with the end goal
is really important. What is it that you are trying to achieve through this periodand when will it end? If there is a level of intensity required to deliver throughout a certain time period, how long will that
period be? For instance, Chelsea is a three-week intense build, so how do we plan recovery and deload periods leading into that period for the team?
JAKE: Before Chelsea, we made sure that our management team had sufficient rest time/days off to minimise burnout during the intense build period. I like to think of pressure as a privilege and communicate that regularly. What could be some of the tactics that people can use to manage their energy levels in busy times?
SAM: Really simply, rest and
recovery are important.If you have had a busy week, take a proactive look at your recovery over the weekend. What have you got in
your schedule that is going to help you feel recovered? Sleep, diet, exercise are all key parts of recovery. There are also things you can schedule in such as family time, walking, switching
off that will aid your energy levels. It is all about having a holistic view on how you perform best.
JAKE: Having had experience of
delivering high profile projectswhen we get to the business end of a job, things can ramp up a bit in terms of pressure. What would you say to anyone who struggles in these moments under pressure?
SAM: Firstly, expect the pressure; no matter what job or industry you are in there will always be these points. You can look back through life and pinpoint the moments that have seemed pressurised – school exams, first job interview, first date, driving test, the list is endless. So, an acceptance that pressure will occur in life is useful in dealing with it.
Secondly, taking a moment to ask yourself some questions to relieve stress and ease pressure. For example, what have I done to prepare for this moment? What will it look like when it goes to plan? What is in my control now?
And lastly, I would say focus on the things that are in your control. If you are worried about how tricky part of the build may go today, how about focusing on turning up to site on
time or even 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
JAKE: We have focused a lot on working out on site but what about when the pressure hits business owners to get more work, get more from the team or manage performance of others? I know from experience how having a settled team in the office allows me to thrive in these situations. How would you suggest that people leading an organisation deal with pressure?
SAM: The same principles apply, but one thing that I would suggest for leaders is to have a good network of support. This may be through other business leaders, senior leadership team, family, trusted friends or even employing the services of a second set of eyes in the form of a coach, consultant or
mentor. This allows for the leader to bounce ideas, share concerns and ultimately release the pressure.
JAKE: Thanks Sam, that's been amazing.
I would also just like to add the importance of vulnerability with your team when you are under pressure, and admitting that you may not be perfect during a specific time period, and that things might come out abit blunt or you are not as considered and measured as normal. If you set these parameters, then that will help navigate the 'pressure' moments in high profile situations.
