Have you ever overheard a colleague say… “everyone is acting off at the moment” or “I’m feeling so frazzled… it must be the full moon”… but then you think nothing more of it?
Whether it really is the full moon or other factors affecting our behaviour, there are times when we and our employees can feel distracted, unfocused and overall, a little bit frazzled.
Are we in a conscious cycle of knowing the full moon is coming and eliminating accountability by blaming these feelings on it entirely?
Maybe. Or maybe there really is more to it. Science does say humans are made up of up to 75% water. The full moon controls the tide right? Surely it affects the human body too. We are not here today to talk science or to consider how or why, but rather to focus on the what – what positive actions can you take during this unavoidable cycle.
If you find that your workplace seems to get this way every so often, or your employees seem more inattentive and distracted during the full moon, we have some tips below on how you can use this time to your advantage!
Embrace it
Embrace the idea that the full moon might be affecting your employee’s behaviour – this can encourage them to acknowledge how they are feeling and work to overcome this as well as taking extra steps to ensure they are organised and ready for it next time.
Prioritise and organise
Encourage staff to write to do lists, organise their diaries, manage and prioritise their workload.
Training and goal setting
Take this time to hold a training session on relevant key topics or ways they can get back on track. Even set them goals to achieve for the day or month.
Communication
Set clear expectations and give timelines so staff can plan in advance. Hold regular catch ups with both individuals and groups to assess how their progress is going.
Lead by example
Set an example, openly talk about techniques you use to organise your day and what you have found works best for you to stay on track.
There is only so much insanity you can blame on a full moon. Overall, if you coach your employees and help them to understand the impact of their disorganisation or distraction and offer professional advice and problem solving solutions, you will have a more dedicated and motivated team!