Snap Out Of It!

Snap out of it, leaders!

With layoffs rampant, surviving jobholders rightly feel lucky to be holding on to their paychecks. But, as leaders, should we really be hanging our hats on employee fear and sense of relief?

As organizations and their people jump down the Maslow scale from creative openness to self-preservation, fear and frustration have replaced calm and vision as the modus operandi of leaders and managers.

Internal communications have become not-so-thinly-veiled threats reminding people to keep their noses to the grindstone. Recognition is perceived to be a frivolous luxury, and workloads are increasing to accomplish the work of departed colleagues. “Your job is always on the line and don’t you forget it,” I hear one manager say recently to their beleaguered staff. Atmospheres are poisoned; morale plummets; innovation and customer service suffer; and employees perform their jobs in fear.

This is like trying to grow vegetables in battery acid. There has to be a better way.

As leaders, we remain responsible for providing vision, guidance and encouragement in difficult times like these – especially in difficult times like these. It isn’t acceptable to rely on the dearth of outside opportunities to retain our employees, or to allow our own reactions to the economy to isolate us from our people.

Here are some guidelines I use with clients to help them manage their own fears and frustrations so they can resume being the true leaders their organizations need so desperately:

• Get Into The Mindset – Figure out where you can take charge, and lead from there; you’re not a victim.
• Assess Priorities – What challenges should be tackled first, and what management tools are needed to address them? You may not accomplish your old strategic objectives, but you can certainly establish new ones.
• Find Your Champs – Which colleagues and staff, even outside partners or customers, can communicate your message and inspire the troops?
• Share What You Can – Be as transparent as possible, both at work and at home; your family is anxious, too, right now. Go for dialogue, not monologue; communication is a two-way street.
• Create Breathing Room – Taking a walk, being playful, and exercising don’t cost you, and your people will thank you for the outlet.
• Find Your Own Way – Not every approach works for everyone; what other approaches work for you?

If we get it right, your downsized teams will become the loyal, engaged core of your success as the economy turns up.

How else do you think we can snap out of the current leadership rut?