Motivating Employees Through Today's Economic Crisis - Executive Strategies
By Daniel Leidl
Updated: 7/19/11
Tough Times Call for Tough Measures, Rallying the Troops, Circling the
Wagons, Bunkering Down may all seem like maxed-out maxims in today's ailing
economy, but what other rallying cries can today's executives call on? As
layoffs and cutbacks ravage the headlines, is it possible to keep employees
motivated to turn a profit, trudge forward, and maintain business as usual? The
future seems murky, as the economy has only been weaker at one other point in
the nation's history, an era defined by a moniker of human suffering.
While times may look bleak, there is still work to be done and opportunities
to prosper. So how do we best advance in such uncommon hours? We reach down
into deeper wells, as profound concerns demand profound
solutions, increasing the gravity of your language, and paint a sincere picture
of your business amidst the looming historical crisis may
actually benefit motivation. Tying daily efforts into larger, global, and
historical issues infuses the oftentimes monotonous work environment with a
well-founded sense of importance and magnitude.
Highlighting the historic importance of the mission only sets the stage for
the real motivational punch. First, employees have to believe that their efforts
are needed, and then they have to understand how they can help. Establishing
expectations and goals for your staff will serve you well.
Begin the journey with a defined destination, and then invite the talents and
enthusiasm of the staff to help the organization advance towards its ends.
People want to achieve and want a stake in the advancements with which they
are associated. Empowering employees to roll up
their sleeves and help out wherever they may be needed could yield unexpected
and welcomed results while augmenting motivation. People will passionately throw
themselves into an opportunity if they have the skills to succeed and are
empowered to try. Encouraging employees to dedicate themselves to the
organization's success regardless of their position will enhance motivation
while increasing communication and inter-departmental
synchronicity. In such times, decreasing red-tape may increase buy-in and output
as employees become motivated to give all of themselves to efforts they have a
personal stake in.
Finally, an inspiring leader is keen at pointing out moments of achievement
with praise and acknowledgment. As you advance toward your goals take the time to congratulate and praise
the good ideas, the late nights, the lunch-less days, and early morning arrivals
that keep the organization moving forward, and all efforts to advance the organization should
be praised regardless of how rudimentary they may seem.
Great journeys are wrought with peril, loss, suffering, and pain. But
they also reap great reward. History has left us with a belief in the balanced
equation: The more we put in, the more we gain. Today's climate is teeming with
possibility and hope, but the payout is unlikely to come quickly or easily. The
leaders of today's organizations have a distinct opportunity to sail through and
navigate unchartered and rough waters. Those who are successful will maintain a
motivated staff regardless of the difficult times ahead.
Daniel Leidl, PhD is a Managing Partner of Meno Consulting, a consulting firm
specializing in leadership development, motivation, organizational culture, and
team building. Dan can be reached through
http://www.menoconsulting.com
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