Work / Rest Cycles < TEAM Solutions

Work / Rest Cycles

For both planned and unplanned events there’s a hidden imbalance that threatens most of us:

Even with proper planning, Crisis Response Leaders may allow themselves to be overworked and under-rested.

Yes, leaders should set an example to others about diligence and mental toughness.

However, they should also set the example for the benefits that come from being balanced and well-rested.

That example includes creating plans that incorporate sensible rest cycles and not just plans that focus on relentless work cycles.

The downside is notable:

Studies conducted and duplicated several times have measured the mental acuity and motor skills of experienced drivers, medics and military personnel who had been awake between 17-19 hours.
On average, their response speeds were 50% slower.
In tests of their motor skills, their performance was equivalent to a person with a blood-alcohol level of .10 (over the legal limit of blood alcohol).

The point is clear:

Without proper rest, you’re endangering yourself and the people and events around you.
Either through unsafe actions or deficient decision-making.

Since the lack of rest is predictable, it is also preventable.

The Response Leadership Sequence™ has peaks of high activity and demands on a Response Leaders time, specific to the role they’re performing.

So, steps to create a balance between work and rest consist of:

Rest during non-peak time should be identified, scheduled and protected to allow for a responder to rejuvenate.
When possible, define tasks that accommodate a reasonable work/rest cycle. (i.e., instead of “dig a hole to China” say “Over the next 4 hours, dig a hole to China, then report back with your progress”)
Schedule resources around the time they have to be there, plus preparation time at the beginning and time for decompression/rehabilitation at the end. Example: if you don’t need them until noon, don’t have them arrive at 6 am, just because that is when you get there.
DO NOT send resources home unless and until they receive an adequate rest and rehabilitation period, first!

With a little bit of forethought and a little leadership, you can reverse the trend of poor work/rest management.