I once led a team member (let's call her June) who stayed unflappable during crises. No matter the challenge, she maintained a steady pace and calm demeanor—thorough, hardworking, but rarely accelerating.
Today, we're addressing the opposite: team members who treat every issue like an emergency. While I'd take an overreactor over an underreactor any day—they're often your most productive and attentive performers—they still need guidance. Here are my battle-tested strategies, drawn from years of leading diverse teams.
Related: 5 Traits of Naturally Resilient People
Problems may show different symptoms, but they often share the same solutions.
1. Show empathy.
When this dedicated employee flags something as urgent, resist rolling your eyes or dismissing them. They're likely passionate about their role and may come from a culture that rewarded constant urgency as heroism. Treat them with the same compassion you'd offer someone struggling with deadlines—empathy builds trust and opens doors to growth.
2. Help them prioritize.
Urgent types often chase every ping, knocking out 20 minor tasks across projects without advancing key goals. Activity isn't productivity. Pair them with a big-picture thinker, share tips like scheduled 'focus blocks' with notifications off, and guide them to distinguish true priorities from distractions.
3. Model calm.
As a leader, be the team's human Alka-Seltzer—fizzing away tension. Diverse personalities are a team's superpower; your role is to steady the ship amid emotional storms. In real crises, amplify your calm to prevent panic from escalating. Leadership isn't a title—it's action.
Related: 7 Personality Traits of Great Leaders
This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
