How to Work With Someone Who Is Disorganized
We all come in different shades and have different preferences, and this can impact our work process. Some of us are uber-organized and use that trait to stay on top of things. Some of us fall on the disorganized side of the scale, but create our own system for productivity.
The potential problem comes when the uber-organized and the disorganized have to work together. It can be frustrating and stressful, especially if you’re one of the organized crowd. How can you keep the project moving and keep your disorganized partner on-task without being perceived as a drill sergeant?
Break It All Down…and Share Sparingly
No one likes to be inundated with an inbox full of to-do’s, especially if your disorganized inbox already has 542 emails you haven’t acted on yet. As the organizer, avoid creating all-encompassing task lists that will do nothing by overwhelm and frustrate your partner. Try breaking down the project into small, digestible chunks and only giving your partner what he/she needs to focus on at a given time.
Be Specific
The clearer you are about expectations, the smoother the work will progress. At the start of the project and throughout the work, be very specific about what needs to be done so both sides know what is expected of them.
Give Them Extra Time
Because those of us that are disorganized tend to take a little longer to find what we need, when you’re working with someone who falls into this category, make sure you are giving them the time they need. Start the process early so there are no surprises and build in extra time whenever possible to accommodate any timeline snags.
Set Up a Reminder System
The last thing you want is to feel like you are pulling teeth to keep the project moving. And think about it from the other side – it’s not fun to be chased around and nagged to complete your work. When you start the project, agree upon a reminder system that focuses on keeping both of you on track. Whether you send weekly or even daily messages, schedule periodic check-in calls or just follow up as needed, a reminder system – that both sides agree on – can be a very effective way to avoid unnecessary stress.
What is your biggest secret for working with someone disorganized? And if you’re the disorganized one, what do you suggest for keeping the project moving?
Image credit: duchesssa
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