Don’t Punish Your Top Performers with Too Much Work

As the second half of the year begins, you may be looking at what your business has accomplished so far and what still needs attention. A few important new initiatives or needs may now be on your list. Who should handle them?

The challenge

Your first instinct may be to give the work to your top performer, the employee who is always reliable, productive, and motivated. You know the job will get done if you assign it to them. But that is exactly why you should be careful not to overload them. Don’t punish your most valuable people by giving them too much work.

The approach

Employees who take on more than they can handle head straight for burnout. Strong employees often look available because they are capable, not because they have excess capacity.

Don’t ask your employees to do more than is manageable or to cover work across too many areas. Instead, revisit your organizational chart: which team, department, or role should own each initiative?

The result

Balance workload by checking capacity, matching work to the right role, and spreading high-pressure assignments across the team so your best people stay engaged, not exhausted.

Start your review

Don’t know who should do what? Have gaps in your work force? It is time to update your organizational chart. Schedule a discovery call with me to explore consulting options and talk through your priorities. Use the space on the worksheet to prepare any questions or topics you would like to discuss.