#01 Keep on communicating
When the pressure is on, too many leaders tend to clam up — often because they don't have all the answers or are worried about the impact of bad news on motivation. But telling people there's no news is better than letting them guess the worst. This is not the time to be a 'strong but silent' type.
#02 Don't be a one trick pony
Lots of leaders respond to crisis by falling back on a single leadership style (and very often this is the command and control 'Directive' style). A time or crisis is the most important time to motivate everyone in the team — and one size definitely doesn't fit all. Be as flexible as you can and remember that different team members need different things from you.
#03 Give people a focus
It's easy to get overwhelmed or go into scattergun mode when nothing seems to be going right. But trying to rectify everything can lead to 'analysis paralysis' or just getting nowhere fast. Be ruthless, identify the fundamentals, focus everyone and everything on making rapid, visible progress against a short list of priorities.
#04 Recognise great work
No one can afford big-ticket corporate treats in hard times. But even something small and well-timed such as a delivery of pizzas when the team are working late, or a bag of chocolate bars, can work wonders and bring back that sense of fun. And it will probably mean that much more precisely because it's more personal.
#05 Give people a space to vent in!
Sometimes we all need to just shout, rant or kick something (preferably inanimate). As weird as it may sound, creating a 'neutral zone' where people can vent their frustrations without feeling as if they're being unprofessional, can help people to get things off their chest and get through difficult times.
#06 Don't panic
Fans of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy have this motto burned into their souls (as well as the answer to the ultimate question). I'm not qualified to comment as to whether 42 really is the answer, but this is great advice even in the darkest nights of a crisis. Stay calm, take a deep breath, count to ten...
#07 Give people a vision for the future
In a crisis, it's all too easy to lose sight of where you're going, but having a vision for the future can save you and your team from getting into a situation that feels like a day-to-day (or even a minute-to-minute) struggle for survival. You don't need the "I have a dream" speech, but focusing the team on a longer term goal that's realistic will help lift people out of the grind and can work wonders.
#08 Ask for ideas
Ten minds are better than one, and just because you're the gaffer, it doesn't mean you have a monopoly on good ideas. Don't be afraid to consult people from the perspective of their own jobs — they'll have a great sense of what else can be done to save money/sell more or whatever else it takes to perform better and turn the corner.
#09 Find an inspiring story
It doesn't need to be Nelson Mandela or JFK. Look for a role model, maybe someone closer to home, who has shown strength, resilience and courage and battled back from the brink. (This could be a good opportunity to try out #08 and get some ideas from the team.) If possible, get them to meet the team and tell their story.
#10 Turn a crisis to your advantage
More often than not, if you're in a tough situation, your competitors will be feeling the squeeze too. If you focus too much on survival, that's all you're likely to achieve - so broaden your horizons and think about how you can turn the situation into a competitive advantage, emerging leaner, fitter and better than before.
Graeme Yell is a director at Hay Group, a global management consultancy that helps organisations create value from their people. Visit haygroup.com
blog comments powered by
