Four Tips to Motivate Employees When You’re Facing Adversity

 

Effective bosses have antennas to alert them over looming challenges. If they don’t have such an antenna, it’s important for them to develop one for multiple credibility reasons.

Even the bosses of small companies can suffer from image problems externally and internally. Either one or both will adversely affect profits. An inordinate number of in internal financial challenges impeding the control of costs often indicate the need to implement a cultural change for profits.

In the minds of employees and sometimes customers, bosses lacking an image of leadership become synonymous with the problems. That’s true whether it’s a matter of performance, productivity, bad PR, costs, turnover or an uncomfortable break-even point.

Every company and adversity is different, but for most situations here are the basics:

Be mindful of red flags. To be effective, it’s important to maintain an image of leadership by being alert to red flags. Hone your instincts. Don’t act like a novice manager doomed to failure.

Look first at your internal situation. Are you partnering with your employees for high performance? If not, power your  brand with employee empowerment.

Use three time-proven, simple strategies to deal with the big picture. For emerging challenges, take the right approach by putting into practice problem-solving’s three As: Awareness, acceptance and action.

A sharp, honest eye at the situation is required. Acceptance means keeping an open mind and considering solutions. Then, taking action is having the audacity to take charge and implement them to alleviate uncertainty in business.

Employees who are fearful about their jobs will love it.

Elevate Communication with Employees. Start a program of employee engagement.

Don’t rely on e-mail, especially if serious problems break out. Take responsibility in tough communications. Do it personally.

Don’t delegate important communications. Employees will want to know that you’re on the firing lines.

Be transparent. Demonstrate how you feel about coping with adversity. Your employees will appreciate it.

Here are strategies for productive meetings to improve your company’s performance.

Employees will also appreciate knowing the company has a viable plan to deal with the adversity.

Document everything for your paper trail. If you really want to be good, learn the 10 key differences between leaders and managers.

Profit from Adverse Situations. Not only do you want to overcome adversity, you and your employees need to take steps to learn from it.

Consider adversity to be an opportunity – for growth. You can and will bounce back from adversity, if you accelerate positive change.

First decide whether you want to be the obstacle or solution.

From the Coach’s Corner, if marketing is a question mark, consider:

• 10 Best Marketing Tips for Growth on a Tight Budget
• Tips To Get Top Results From Your Marketing Plan

“Adversity is a stimulus.”

-James Broughton

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.