After the holidays, many professionals are catching up from some much-deserved vacation time. The final quarter of the fiscal year is a time when deadlines loom, tension is high, and burnout flourishes. As the first quarter of the new year begins, those in program management are entering a critical period of growth and productivity. By following a few program management best practices and working with an experienced mission solutions company, businesses can foster growth and mitigate the effects of employee burnout.

Now is a Critical Time for Program Management Professionals

Whether your team is on vacation or not, this time of year can be a critical turning point for businesses. Wrapping up end-of-year assignments and getting ready for 2021 is crucial, and an effective program management strategy can help your team succeed. Take this time (or some time when you return from vacation in January) to detect burnout in your staff members, revisit your program management strategy, and prioritize accountability and improvement among your team.

Program Management Professionals Should Look for Signs of Burnout

Your colleagues may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Personal problems, holiday stress, work issues, and current events can each heavily impact a person, and the combination of multiple stressors can be too much for some people to handle. Watch for these signs of burnout in your colleagues and employees — they may need some help:

• Physical symptoms: headaches, fatigue, and changes in appetite
• Mental symptoms: problems with focus and sleeping patterns
• Emotional symptoms: unusual irritability, disinterest, cynicism, detachment, or fragility

Encourage Teams to Get Back to Basics

In preparation for the first quarter of the year, many program management professionals prioritize team health, personal well-being, and effective leadership strategy. Now is the time to recognize burnout and adjust plans and project schedules to ease tension on overwhelmed team members and help the group finish strong. In looking toward 2021, consider how your team will collaborate and maintain agility and focus in the new year. Recognize your team’s milestones, both small and large, and thank your staff members. By revisiting key priorities and emphasizing transparency, accountability, and growth, management professionals can encourage their teams to start strong in the new year.

About Lewis-Price & Associates Inc.

Lewis-Price & Associates, Inc., is a fast-growing mission solutions company supporting federal agencies through premiere training, program management and IT services. Serving federal agencies across the government spectrum, from defense to civilian, we ensure the success of ongoing federal agency operations through effective curriculum development, professional coaching, program management, and administrative and technical services. Lewis-Price is committed to providing high quality, effective and on-time solutions to partners and customers through a team that values integrity, intention and excellence in everything we do. Learn about how we can bring our unique approach to success to your organization today at lewisprice.com, and please follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.