How to Handle Sluggish Teams with Surge Capacity - The Holton Consulting Group, Inc.

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Have you noticed that you (and your team members) may be feeling a little depleted lately? Perhaps you’ve sensed a sluggishness – lack of motivation – feelings of sadness or even a tinge of depression setting in? As I was working with different clients, I began to hear this common theme -- so I began researching the issue to discover an explanation. I came upon an interesting article that led me to create a helpful model for you. The article is called Your Surge Capacity is Depleted, by Tara Haelle. (You may find it an interesting read.)

Essentially, Surge Capacity is a collection of adaptive systems (mental, physical, spiritual) that we draw on for short-term survival in high-stress situations, such as earthquakes, floods, or tornados. But typically, these disasters are short-lived (even though recovery may take longer.) The issue with the pandemic is that the high-stress situation has become chronic! With no specific end in sight (coupled with all the divisive attitudes and unknowns related to it), people are finding their surge capacity is totally depleted, and they are clueless about how to renew it.

Surge Capacity is a collection of adaptive systems (mental, physical, spiritual) that we draw on for short-term survival in high-stress situations, such as earthquakes, floods, or tornados. But typically, these disasters are short-lived (even though recovery may take longer.) The issue with the pandemic is that the high-stress situation has become chronic! With no specific end in sight (coupled with all the divisive attitudes and unknowns related to it), people are finding their surge capacity is totally depleted, and they are clueless about how to renew it.

This is important information for you, as an Extraordinary Leader, for 3 reasons:

You need to recognize it in yourself, to ensure you stay on top of your game as leader;
You need to be able to spot it in your people, so you can avoid a drop in productivity and teamwork. (Research indicates that this issue is particularly difficult for high achievers, who are used to getting things accomplished, creating routines, and achieving results quickly.)
You need to have specific actions you can take to help yourself and your team replenish the surge capacity – refuel, if you will.

Here’s an AC/DC Model to help you navigate this tricky terrain.

(It is perfect to use in a huddle meeting to generate discussion!)

How To USE THIS MODEL . . .

The DC Side of the Continuum

The DC side represents those things over which you do have control: what you eat and wear; your habits; your thoughts; your skill development; giving feedback to others; taking risks; how you respond to situations. These things get placed on the DC side of the continuum. If you’re happy with it, all is well. But --if you don’t like the situation, you Decide and Change . . . take the necessary steps to create a change toward what you want.

The AC Side of the Continuum

The AC side represents those things over which you have little or no control: technology issues; traffic; weather; rules and regulations of our workplace; other people's attitudes; how others respond to situations. These things get placed on the AC side of the continuum. If you don’t like the situation, you Accept and Cope. This means recognizing the situation is out of your control, and your energy needs to focus on how you can assess ways to manage yourself within the situation to maintain your sanity and keep your perspective.

The Power of CHOICE!

The secret of using this model is to understand where an issue falls on the continuum, so you don’t waste a lot of time and energy fighting something over which you have little or no control.

The power comes from the CHOICES you make — and there are always choices! I have found that when I am most frazzled and frustrated, if I check it against this continuum, sure enough, I’m trying to change something that belongs on the AC side. As I stop resisting and begin looking at Coping strategies, my mental state improves, and my energy and productivity soar!

I've turned COPE into an acronym: Choosing Options (with) Positive Effects! Once you choose options, it puts you into an action mode over which you DO have control ... and that makes all the difference!

As we deal with the Surge Capacity issue, people will recognize they have little control over the cause of their despondency and frustration – but they have high control over their ability to refuel and rejuvenate! This perception of high control makes your team members feel much better. While it doesn’t change the situation, it has a dramatic impact on how they handle the situation.

1
Stay observant and notice when any of your team members are exhibiting signs of a depleted surge capacity (overreaction to stress; moody; drop in productivity; lashing out; extreme tiredness; inability to maintain attention or focus; etc.
2
Schedule a "Surge Building" session, where you talk about the AC/DC Model and identify the source of the frustration or stress.
3
Identify the level of control the individual has (or team has) over the situation, and place it on the Continuum. Take note of whether it is more towards the AC or the DC side.
4
If it is more towards the DC side of the continuum, begin strategizing how the individual or team can Decide and Change, to make the situation better.
5
If it falls more on the AC side of the continuum, the strategy discussion should be to explore the choices that can help the individual or team cope more effectively in the situation. How can they rise above the stress and empower themselves to be more positive and productive?
6
Create a Plan of Action, and follow up and support the individual or team to revitalize the Surge Capacity and boost productivity and engagement on your team!