Why Urgency Alone Breaks Teams (and What to Do Instead)

allynitschke
17 hours ago
2 min read

Every leader knows the pressure of urgent deadlines. Clients demand results, boards want updates, and markets move quickly. But here’s the hard truth: urgency on its own doesn’t build high performance, it breaks teams.

The Problem with Urgency-Only Leadership

Urgency has its place. It can energise people, create momentum, and signal that results matter. But urgency without empathy quickly becomes unsustainable.

I’ve worked with organisations where leaders ran their people like sprinters in a marathon, relentlessly pushing for outcomes with no recovery. On the surface, things looked productive. But beneath that urgency? Exhaustion, disengagement, and quiet attrition.

Here’s what happens when urgency runs unchecked:

Burnout spikes. People can’t sustain “always-on” intensity.
Trust erodes. Employees feel like cogs, not humans.
Innovation dries up. Fear and fatigue stifle creativity.
Turnover rises. Top performers walk, taking knowledge and morale with them.

Urgency can get short-term results, but it extracts long-term costs.

What to Do Instead

The antidote to urgency-only leadership isn’t slowing down, it’s adding empathy. Leaders who balance urgency with empathy create teams that can deliver and sustain.

Acknowledge the pressure. Pretending it’s not tough doesn’t help. Naming the challenge makes people feel seen.
Prioritise clearly. Cut out the noise so urgency is focused, not overwhelming.
Model balance. Leaders who rest, recover, and set boundaries give permission for others to do the same.
Celebrate wins. Recognising progress fuels energy for the next sprint.

A Real Story

I once coached a leader who was known for her relentless drive. Her team delivered, but turnover was sky-high. When she shifted her approach, pairing urgency with weekly check-ins and genuine recognition, the culture transformed. Deadlines were still met, but people no longer felt crushed in the process.

Final Thought

Urgency alone doesn’t build resilient teams,it burns them out. The leaders who thrive in 2025 will be those who drive urgency with empathy, creating environments where people can deliver fast and still flourish.

If you would like to book in a time to speak with Ally: CLICK HERE.

Ally Nitschke is a best-selling Author, an award-winning Thought Leader and Speaker. She has been working with leaders and as a Leader for over 20 years.

She is on a mission to change the way we communicate at work, to lean into those uncomfortable conversations and lead with courage.

Ally is a Keynote Speaker at conferences, delivers Transformational Programs & highly engaging workshops as well as provides Executive Coaching.