Five Ways to Support a Team Through Tough Times: Featured in Executive PA

Leadership is tested most during challenging times. Whether it’s navigating uncertainty, balancing workloads, or keeping morale high, the way leaders support their teams can define their success.

In my feature with Executive PA, I shared five robust strategies for helping teams stay on track without burning out. Below, I expand on these approaches: Mindset X, Team Tetris, Built-in Wellbeing, Powerful Engagement, and Aligned Purpose. And, explore how they create thriving, resilient teams.

Tough Times Need Mindset X

When uncertainty hits, it’s natural for teams to feel stuck or overwhelmed. As I shared in Executive PA: “Mindset X is about building the ability to adapt, face complexity with confidence and lean into challenges rather than be thrown by them.”

Leaders play a vital role in fostering this mindset. By encouraging curiosity and reframing challenges as opportunities, teams can shift from “Why is this happening?” to “What’s possible here?” This adaptability not only keeps teams moving forward but also helps them build resilience for future challenges.

Balance the Load with Team Tetris

Workload imbalances can quickly create frustration and inefficiency within a team. As noted in the article: “Some will feel like they’re drowning; others might not have enough to do. Team Tetris is about playing a game of fitting the pieces together; making sure no-one is overburdened, and everyone is contributing in a way that fits their capacity.”

Leaders must regularly assess and redistribute tasks to maintain balance. This approach ensures productivity while preventing burnout and keeping team morale high. It’s about recognising capacity and creating an even flow of work that supports everyone.

Prioritise People with Built-in Wellbeing

Wellbeing often gets overlooked during tough times, yet it’s never been more crucial. As shared in Executive PA: “You can’t push the performance pedal without paying attention to wellbeing. Because if your people aren’t feeling good, they won’t be able to do great.”

Embedding wellbeing into daily operations is essential. This could mean introducing flexible work arrangements, encouraging breaks, or simply checking in with your team to understand how they’re feeling. When leaders prioritise wellbeing, they create environments where people feel supported, even during periods of high pressure.

Foster Psychological Safety with Powerful Engagement

Without engagement, teams quickly lose energy. Psychological safety is the foundation of true engagement. As I explained in Executive PA: “Your team needs to know it’s okay to speak up, share ideas and make mistakes. Powerful Engagement creates an environment where your people feel safe enough to bring their whole selves to the table.”

Leaders can foster this safety by building trust and encouraging open dialogue. When team members feel heard and valued, they remain connected to their work and to one another, even in challenging circumstances.

Stay on Track with Aligned Purpose

When teams face uncertainty, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. As noted in the article: “Aligned Purpose is about focusing on what matters and reminding the team why their work is important.”

Leaders must help teams reconnect with their mission, ensuring that day-to-day tasks align with broader organisational goals. This clarity of purpose creates direction and keeps teams motivated to navigate tough times with focus and unity.

Final Thoughts

Supporting teams through tough times requires a thoughtful balance of adaptability, wellbeing, engagement, and purpose. By cultivating Mindset X, balancing workloads, embedding wellbeing, fostering psychological safety, and aligning purpose, leaders can help their teams navigate uncertainty with resilience and confidence.

To explore these ideas further, you can read the full feature on Executive PA: Five Ways to Support a Team Through Tough Times.

For more practical strategies on building thriving workplaces, my book Make Work Work for You offers deeper insights into creating environments where performance, growth, and wellbeing align.