David Lee, the founder and principal of HumanNature@Work, and an internationally recognized authority on organizational and managerial practices that optimize employee performance, morale, and engagement, has some advice for recession-proofing your workforce.
According to Lee, getting the chance to make a difference leads to a greater sense of control, while being involved in a successful project builds confidence and creates a more positive emotional climate. This is especially important when major changes come from senior management and frontline employees have had no say in whether the initiative happens.
While strategic decisions are understandably driven by senior level executives, frontline employees should be given as much autonomy as possible in the operational execution of these initiatives.
Doing this activates two of the most powerful factors that mitigate stress: control and self-efficacy.
Also, employers and team leaders need to make sure to keep the dream alive and celebrate your wins. Research on trauma a
nd resilience has shown that when people feel their lives have meaning and purpose, they have a far greater capacity to deal with traumatic events and difficult times. Inspired people—people ignited by a worthy cause—rise above challenges.
Inspired employees persevere and overcome. Inspired employees pull together and attack challenges with vigor and determination. Therefore, during difficult times, you must dial up your inspiration quotient. You do this by “keeping the dream alive” by sharing stories of the good things your company is doing. You do this by collecting stories from your employees and your customers about how employees went the extra mile, provided great service (whether internal or external) and made a difference.
This is one of the reasons why both Southwest Airlines and Ritz Carlton have such strong, can-do cultures. They continually share stories of the great things their employees do.
By taking steps to “recession-proof” your workforce, you’ll have a group of employees who are able to:
- Respond to challenges with a “can do” attitude.
- Remain upbeat and determined, despite the difficulties you face.
- Focus their attention on making a difference, rather than on complaining about things they can do nothing about.
- Handle greater challenge, pressure, and demands without becoming stressed.
While you can’t eliminate all sources of frustration and stress, the more your employees believe they are part of a great company and that they are making a difference, the more inspired and courageous they will be in the face of adversity.
Companies that don’t take these steps will probably discover that employee loyalty and productivity are greatly diminished. Employers may not see the impact during the downturn when it is more difficult for unhappy workers to leave for greener pastures. But they will certainly feel it when the economy improves.
Source: Portland Press Herald - February 22, 2008, “How to Recession Proof Your Workforce“.
