By Oga Chan, Founder of North AdaptiveWhy it happens
Are you and your team constantly running from one task to another with little time to catch a breath? You've hired more staff but the same thing happens, like building more roads to fix traffic congestion only to have more cars on the road.
That's a classic adaptive challenge. Hiring is a technical fix. Underneath, there are adaptive patterns: saying yes to more work than is sustainable, underpricing because you're afraid of turning clients away, or filling your diary to the brim because busy feels safe. To find the root cause, we need to step back and see what's really at play. It can be messy, and there's often more than one factor. But naming them is the first step to building something sustainable.
A story from my work
Euan* runs a respected technology consultancy. Inside, his team was exhausted, juggling several projects at once with no let up. Euan barely saw his wife and children. Every missed opportunity felt like the business might not have enough for next quarter. And whenever he did secure enough work for the year ahead, he simply aimed higher. Then his people started leaving, looking for a better work life balance.
Euan was committed to changing things. In our early conversations, his mind kept racing to the next topic. We worked through what was keeping him in overdrive, named his big assumptions, and began testing small experiments to loosen the ones that didn't always hold true.
They created early warning signs to catch themselves before slipping back into doing too much, gave people roles to keep that in check, and decided together which projects were strategically worth the crunch or needed pushback. Business is still good, not bursting at its seams anymore.
Months later, Euan told me something his wife had said: “You're actually here now. Before, your body was here but your mind wasn't.” Working through his immunity to change helped him slow down and be present. The work now runs at a more sustainable pace, and his family is feeling the difference too.
*Name and some details changed.
What to try this week
For one working week, keep a simple note of everything you say yes to: new work, extra requests, meetings, favours. Next to each, jot down one word for why you said yes. Was it exciting? Strategic? Or a worry about what might happen if you said no?
At the end of the week, look back over the list. Circle the ones that were genuinely worth the crunch. Then notice the rest, and the reasons behind them. You don't need to change anything yet. Just seeing the pattern is the first step.
How I can help
This is just one story. The reasons a team ends up bursting at the seams are different for every business. In one-to-one coaching, I help you step back and see the bigger picture, name the hidden assumptions that keep the overdrive going, and test new ways of working so the busy seasons feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
If you'd like to bring your team along, I also run leadership team sessions, so the new way of working is shared and not just held by you.
I work with business owners and leadership teams across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, the Highlands and Islands, in-person or online.