Leadership in today’s tough business environment can feel like a continuous fight for survival. To thrive and grow, you’ve got to get beyond today’s anxiety and look toward the future. Stay focused with these strategies:
• Pay attention to your top people. Don’t assume your best performers are content where they are. They may require less direction, but that doesn’t mean they like being neglected, especially if they’re working harder under challenging circumstances. Talk to them often, show your appreciation, and offer opportunities for development whenever you can. These are the people you can’t afford to lose.
• Explain cutbacks honestly. Tell your workforce why painful decisions are necessary. They’re deciding whether they can trust you, and any evasion or ambiguity will raise their defenses—and lower their productivity. The survivors of a layoff need to know why they’re still there so they can concentrate on how to keep the company going.
• Keep your own credibility intact. Take responsibility for what happens in your organization. Don’t look for alibis when bad news strikes—blaming upper management, for instance—even when your own hands are tied. Employees want to know you’re in charge, and ducking accountability will make them question your leadership.
• Concentrate on the goal. Don’t linger on the here-and-now. Express your organization’s long-term goals in clear, simple terms so everyone understands what to work on. When employees see a path to follow, they’ll be better able to move forward even when the road is difficult.
—Adapted from the Great Leadership Web site