Sports-to-business analogies abound.  Another one crystallized in my mind as I was reading a training article by Dan John this week.  His advice?     Do not chase fatigue.    “ You WANT the weight to feel light and easy. Inch that load up over a few workouts. Like we discover in throwing the shot and discus, inching your effortless efforts up a bit seem to increase your best.”  ~Dan John
 
Fatigue is a natural part of serious training, and a natural part of business life.  That’s true as individuals and can also be true of an organization as a body.   And I think that thinking of an organization as a body can provide a perspective on everything from Alignment to avoiding the Zero Sum Game.  
 
Stronger and faster is a fantastic goal.    In that regard, why not ta learn something from elite athletes?  Yes, they train, and even to fatigue.  Nevertheless, they also diligently put efforts into recovery and rest.  Many training programs will focus on fatiguing only one or two main muscle groups. Legs today, arms tomorrow, back the next day...carefully ensuring that the nervous system has what it takes to turn this teardown into new strength and skill. 
 
Likewise keep an eye on the team; the body.
 
Everyone is going to experience times of fatigue such as during big projects.  But extended periods of fatigue set you up for only one thing; injury. Make sure you do not have too much stress on one area for too long. Make sure the burden is shared. Make sure there is time for rest and recovery.
 
Want faster and stronger?   Do not chase fatigue.