Supporting Your Team During Times of Chaos

Perhaps you’ve noticed: there seems to be a lot of chaos around just now. Considering AI alone, a sense of upheaval seems fitting. But when disorder and confusion build up in the workplace and negatively impact our team, managers have to step up to help.

Chaos comes to the library workplace in various forms: 

• Leaders who dislike structure
• Internal challenges such as building projects or lengthy leadership transitions
• Public controversy centered on the library
• Societal disruption (natural disaster, violence, disordered leadership)

Workplace chaos impacts our team’s effectiveness and mental health. Not least, it dampens the staff creativity and enthusiasm we rely on to deliver great youth services. Yet keeping our team on track while managing our own human response to a chaotic environment can challenge even the most experienced manager. Energy, clarity, and authentic optimism may feel elusive. What strategies can help us – and help our team? Here are a few to consider:

• Practicing self-awareness, self-management, and self-care
  • People “catch” emotions. Had a stressful interaction? Notice if you’re feeling angry or disconsolate, then take a private moment to regain composure. Safeguard and strengthen your mental health, just as you prioritize taking care of your body.
• Doubling down on our “why”
  • Keeping our “why” central is grounding. Post your personal “why” by your desk. Display the library’s mission statement where every team member sees it every day. Consider creating a departmental “why” that speaks to how your team supports the library’s mission. Asking yourself or your team, “How did we ___ [your “why”] today?” helps fight feelings of disengagement.
• Showing gumption
  • Strategically say no. Saying a respectful “no” with logic to support your position is part of leadership. Push back on ideas that will cause harm to the library’s credibility, to staff, or to successful initiatives that support your mission. 
• Making room for impactful organizing work
  • Chaos-thriving leadership sometimes needs reminding that others have differing structure needs. Volunteer to help create structure that will benefit you and your team. Introduce shared project management tools in your own department to give staff a sense of control. Schedule more individual check-ins and team meetings to keep your team engaged.
• Focusing on a small number of shorter-term goals
  • Chaos  is not a conducive environment for long-term, complex projects. Small, achievable goals will allow staff to see progress – something that can feel elusive during turbulence. 
• Amping up fun
  • Humor lightens the emotional workload. Post a weekly question that staff respond to, such as “If you had to be an animal, which animal would you be?” Share silly jokes. Bring food. 
• Painting a picture of a positive future
  • Help staff look beyond the current hardships.”When we have our new program room . . .” or “When this kerfuffle dies down . . .” reminds staff that there will be brighter days. If the end of chaos is not in sight, tell stories of team successes and skillfulness. Keep the focus on staff resilience and capability.

We can’t fix chaos. We can have small, positive impacts on the human beings who rely on us for leadership and stability. When we look for opportunities in the midst of chaos to help our team, we’ll always find them.

What are your strategies for helping teams function in a chaotic environment? Please share in the comment section!

Today’s blog post was written by Mary Fellows, Manager, Youth and Family Services at Upper Hudson Library System in Albany, New York, on behalf of the ALSC Managing Children’s Services Committee. She can be reached at mary.fellows@uhls.org.

This blog relates to ALSC Core Competency VI. Administrative and Management Skills.

The post Supporting Your Team During Times of Chaos appeared first on ALSC Blog.

 Perhaps you’ve noticed: there seems to be a lot of chaos around just now. Considering AI alone, a sense of upheaval seems fitting. But when disorder and confusion build up in the workplace and negatively impact our team, managers have to step up to help. Chaos comes to the library workplace in various forms:  Workplace chaos impacts our team’s effectiveness and mental health. Not least, it dampens the staff creativity and enthusiasm we rely on to deliver great youth services. Yet keeping our team on track while managing our own human response to a chaotic environment can challenge even the most experienced manager. Energy, clarity, and authentic optimism may feel elusive. What strategies can help us – and help our team? Here are a few to consider: We can’t fix chaos. We can have small, positive impacts on the human beings who rely on us for leadership and stability. When…
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