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> Challenging Times
Anyone following the news lately knows that an atmosphere of concern and cynicism has been developing for some time in our country and the world. The economy, foreign affairs, and the environment are just a few of the issues raising anxiety.
Your people feel this anxiety whether they admit it or not. They are bombarded everyday with negative messages and likely realize they are due for some tough sailing (if they haven’t felt the chop already). Even the venerable GE Company announced a surprise earnings miss last quarter.
Here are just a few headlines from the April 3rd Wall Street Journal:
“US Slump Takes Toll Across Globe”
“Bernanke Says the Word: Recession May Be Near”
“Factory Orders Fall for Second Month in a Row”
Consciously or unconsciously, your people understand that things are less certain and secure than they were even twelve months ago. This insecurity can be debilitating. Anxiety can freeze business leaders and their teams causing them to hesitate, succumb to distractions, and otherwise take their eye off the ball. Dysfunctional stress interferes with getting important things done.
So, what can you do? Call out this anxiety, recognize it, and empathize with yourself and your organization. For some this may feel like “giving in” but it’s just the opposite. By personally recognizing anxiety, the pressure will be relieved. Like the soldier on the front lines who admits he’s terrified, your people will realize they aren’t alone. They will feel less encumbered and become more willing to take intelligent risks and decisive actions.
While it is always important to recognize wins, it is particularly important now. Wins, even small ones, should be recognized and celebrated. Encourage your business leaders to search out and recognize accomplishments anywhere they are found. Winning in a tough environment is a significant accomplishment and bodes well for even bigger success when the inevitable turnaround arrives.
While no one individual or company can control the economy or world affairs, you can help your people adapt to tough situations. Ironically, it all begins by acknowledging that everyone is anxious at times, even you. Emancipate your people by admitting your own vulnerability; it will go a long way to relieving the pressure.
Best regards,
Tim Stratman
Tim Stratman is President of Timbre Executive Coaching, Inc. headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
To read more about Tim Stratman click here
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