---
id: "action-slow-down-guidance"
type: "action-item"
source_timestamps: ["§ Insider Insights: There's Too Much Work", "¶ 4"]
tags: ["change-management", "training"]
related: ["concept-change-induced-burnout", "action-reduce-priority-whiplash"]
action: "Pause to provide necessary training and guidance before assigning new responsibilities or tools to teams."
outcome: "Allows teams to absorb new responsibilities effectively without succumbing to change-induced burnout."
speakers: ["HBR Insider Insights Survey Respondent"]
sources: ["tail1"]
sourceVaultSlug: "hbr-seg-tail1"
originDay: 1
articleStem: "hbr-tail-104-treat-ai-like-teammate"
sourceUrl: "https://hbr.org/2026/05/should-you-treat-ai-like-a-teammate"
sourceTitle: "Should You Treat AI Like a Teammate?"
---
# Provide Guidance Before Assigning New Responsibilities

## Action
Pause to provide necessary training and guidance **before** assigning new responsibilities or tools to teams.

## Detail
Before asking teams to take on additional work or pivot to new priorities, ensure that the necessary tools, resources, and training are in place. Rushing implementation without guidance leads to confusion and burnout.

## Expected outcome
Allows teams to absorb new responsibilities effectively without succumbing to change-induced burnout.

## Why it works
Directly targets [[concept-change-induced-burnout]]. Pairs with [[action-reduce-priority-whiplash]]: one paces the *introduction* of change (guidance/resources first), the other paces the *frequency* of change (fewer abrupt pivots). Enrichment literature emphasizes advance guidance and realistic pacing as core burnout mitigations.