10/13/2021

How to Help Your Team Get Out of a Lull

What causes a lull in the aftermath of a crisis

"Going back to work feels like a reunion party that just can't get off the ground. It's nice to see everyone again, but there is no real spark," a CEO answered when I asked her to describe the sentiment she was picking up on after people had returned to the office.

Right now, there is a clear and present need in most organizations, and among most leaders, to get everyone up to speed, to stimulate the hunger to win again and to rekindle collaboration. But leaders I've worked with across a range of industries and geographies report that even though business is accelerating, and people say they are happy to be back and are optimistic about the future, they face an odd kind of inertia on their teams: Priorities are fuzzy, progress is slow and social interactions feel somewhat awkward. Indeed, when I asked a senior leadership team to give a "weather report" on the energy of their team, the description that resonated with them the most was "bland with frantic bursts."

What is going on? And what can leaders do to break out of the lull?

Please select this link to read the complete article from Harvard Business Review.