Team Learning & Improvement: When it’s over, it’s not over
You finally made it! Or did you? You worked for years to get that degree. Run that marathon. Get that promotion. Launch that product. Deliver that program. Time to head for the beach and sip those drinks with umbrellas. But then you get back and you crash. And you realize, there is still more to do and learn, but you don't want to do it and learn it, at least not yet. Here’s my own hard earned lessons on how to stick the landing and embrace what’s next.
I have done some large, high profile initiatives in my career. Ones where I had to work long hours for a year+, juggle multiple personalities and egos, balance big ambitions with limited resources, and receive a standing ovation and/or cringed from my near miss/very public disaster. And what surprised me the most was the emotional roller coaster coming down from the months-long intensive push and high. The not being able to imagine caring about something as much as that last big thing. This is an often ignored part of work—recovery and renewal when you complete something big.
First a story. Three years ago when I took on my last role, I quickly identified my successor, the talented Lauren Ziadie. It was just so obvious to me how bright her star shines. And recently she brilliantly led the giant, all consuming conference that I had previously produced with her by my side. I watched and cheered her on as she grinded and ultimately triumphed. When it was all over, she said she was surprised not only in the feeling of elation at the accomplishment, but the let-down of not still working on it. This made me remember what it had been like for me and inspired me to pull together some thoughts on what I would recommend to anyone working on something big-- including sticking the landing and re-entering the normal world with a renewed energy and vitality.
Celebrate the Accomplishment by Giving Thanks. Right away. Before the spa. Before the vacation. Who helped you make this possible? Relive those great moments with them. Also, take the time to take inventory of all the people who helped lift you up and contribute to your success. Write down what they did and why it mattered and share with them and everyone how much they mean to you. I worked for someone in a previous job who was a brilliant giver of gratitude. She counseled that a heartfelt thank you should happen within 24 hours since its timeliness conveyed sincerity and how important the person is to you. I also found sitting down and thanking people to be the best way to celebrate what I’ve done and start to get back to normal.
Maximize the Lessons. People will tell you how great it was. They will swarm you with congratulations. Enjoy it. Be open to it. Bask in it. But then it's time to lean into the learning. How could you have made this extraordinary? Find the people who will tell you about the things that broke. Ask them about advice on the things that could have been tweaked to make it exceptional. Run a post mortem with small groups. Make it safe for people to share their feedback. Then, document and share what you learned. Write a list of lessons learned. I am known for giving feedback on all things. And what I try to do is to make sure people understand that I share it because I am invested in their progress and success, so they feel the excitement I have in their potential. Apply your passion for learning to others. Is there someone on your team who you want to invest in? What could help them reach their next level? What inspired them? What did they learn? What do they want to tackle in their next big thing?
Feel the Feels. It is a myth that once you reach the peak, you should be happy and elated. What's wrong with you if you are experiencing the highs with the lows? The fact is, the journey was a huge part of the accomplishment. And when you're done striving, it's a big void. I remember how I felt after completing what I considered the best work of my career, a year in the making. In one minute I felt like an Oscar winner, and in another I felt I was grieving the loss of a loved one. I felt pride, exhaustion and even emptiness. I found it impossible to conceive that I would start up something big again, or even care about the small things I had to do to keep my world moving. The first thing I needed was space to decompress, and time to recover and rest. It surprised me how much time and space I needed to replenish. But I did recover, as I had so many times, and I did find a new shiny project to excite my intellect and my passion. And what I realized was the more I beat myself up about my feelings, the longer it took for me to reset my focus. So though it sounds odd, embrace the highs and lows, and share with other people how you're thinking and feeling about things.
And most importantly, when you're through it and on to the next thing, stay observant of others who are pursuing their own big quests. Remember this aftermath experience and comfort those who might be grieving the loss of working towards their own big accomplishment.
