There are a lot of signs that 2009 is going to be a tough year. Whatever place you are currently, you can bet that each time you open an article or turn to the television, you’re likely to read or hear about a company closing down or cutting employees.
If you’re in charge of your team, you’re facing a variety of problems in the present. They could be:
o Providing services with less staff
o Delays in receiving money for services provided
Key staff decides to change their jobs.
You are forced to alter your work style.
• Having to shut down an element of the business
Given the variety of problems, how can you ensure that your team stays engaged in these uncertain times?
Tip 1: Keep your mind positive
You are an effective leader. Your team members look up to you as a person to model their behavior, the one whom they can count on and who is able to help them tackle the problems. If your team sees you as their role model, what do you think they’ll react if you show negative behavior? Most likely, they’ll turn hostile if you wish to ensure that your group stays focused, stay positive and hold the belief that there’s an answer to any problems that come up.
Tip 2: Be honest
While it is essential to remain positive, it’s necessary to be open in your interactions with colleagues. If there are issues that require attention, Let people be aware of the problems and the steps that are being taken to deal with the problems. If there’s a chance that staff numbers may need to be reduced, inform people about that and don’t put things off.
Tip 3: Become a master in listening
If you’re leading or managing a team, you are likely to find that the people on the team will be experiencing concerns and fears regarding the present situation. One thing you can do to help your team members to remain focused is to listen and accept their problems and emotions. Sometimes, simply listening to someone can make them feel more optimistic.
Tip 4: Keep your eyes on the direction to go.
One thing for sure is that you are unable to rewrite the past. One of my favorite sayings is we’re who we are. That is, the current present situation that we’re in this moment is exactly where we are, regardless of whether we prefer the case or not. There are two options. We can concentrate our focus on the past or focus on the future. Which one do you think will be more effective? Whatever the case, remember your own focus and that of your team members on the path to take.
Tip 5 Make sure your team is involved.
It is possible that every member of your team is a contributor with ideas or suggestions that could aid in tackling some of the issues you face. It is essential to determine whether you are receiving their input in combating the problems? If your team is engaged in the transformation, it could be incredibly motivating. Sure, there will be those who would prefer to remain in the shadows, but so long as you have an entire group of people dedicated to a bright future, you’ll have the most motivational source.
Bottom In the end, if you’re an administrator or leader, maintaining your team’s motivation in these uncertain times is crucial to your success. So, what do you have to be doing to help keep the group engaged during these turbulent times?
