We are currently facing a crisis unlike anything we've experienced before. It doesn't matter whether you look at the financial markets, the housing market, or SMEs, the story is the same. WE'RE IN A RECESSION! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!
Unfortunately as managers in businesses, we cannot simply 'run for our lives' and must weather the turbulant time ahead. Should we press on, driving the same values and orders through to our staff to show commitment and solidarity? Or should we formulate new strategies and implement lots of change to show people that we're trying to combat the situation? There are good cases for either side, which I'll present below.
Change
Lets start with the most obvious option to write about. Change. A well used word since Obama started slinging it around last year, but is it right for your business? Would a manager championing a change in the way leadership is demonstrated be necessarily be making the right move?
1. As a shop floor or assistant manager. To see that management are changing the way things are done, and who's in charge of what, and how many new intiatives have bee started can be a very reassuring thing. However this is positive benefit is limited if similar change failed to produce results in the past, so take that into account.
2. It's without doubt that as business risk increases, companies have to react faster to changes in the market place. If a rearrangement of hierachies and new visions and intiatives from business leaders will help achieve this, then it should be encouraged. You should however keep your eye out for loss of good knowledge. If movement of job positions and reporting lines shatters the environment that existed previously, then you may be hindering the best ideas from the well experienced staff getting to the right managers. When looking at the benefits of a new intiative, always consider what you're losing too.
Continuity
1. Confident continuity and resolve of existing leadership ideas and techniques and intiatives give a clear message about the vision of the management. Leadership needs to be strong, and to stay on message even when times get tough is a brilliant bonus for your credibility. Ensure that you can justify WHY you're staying on the same path and not changing however. Lack of commmunication could lead to employees viewing you as 'out of touch with the economic reality of it all'.
2. If a senior manager stays his course and doesn't start firing or moving people around when things get tough, it shows that he places alot of trust in his staff beneath him, and that he appreciates the work they have already done. As an extension, these employees should be engaged with EVEN more during the course of the recession. This will support the trust you have in them, and the free flow of ideas from them to you, will actually help you succeed at staying ontop of it all anyway.
So there you have a few of my thoughts on the subject, I want to keep the discussion going though; it doesn't end here. So please add comment!
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Ways to Enhance Teamwork
- Why You Need to Upgrade Your Leadership Strategy Now (and How You Can do So.)
- The Importance of Teamwork
- How To Improve Your Leadership Skills
- 5 Tips How to Improve Your Leadership on Affiliate Program
- Leadership Exercises That Increase Productivity and Quality
- 5 Tips How to Improve Your Leadership on Affiliate Program
- Curse of Teamwork




If a new line of alternative means of generating income was identified, employees should be immediately trained to gather the skills sufficient for this proposal. his does two things - give them a hope to see beyond the current effects of the recession and reassures them that they are still useful to the organization and the organization entrusts this challenging phase in their hands.
Isa, Hakeem
Appian FORUM09 Conference Recap
By: Market Wire | 09/11/2009Largest BPM Vendor Event of the Year Highlights New Product, New Services and New Community
Ensuring cohesion between management and employees
By: Christina Pomoni | 09/11/2009Ensuring cohesion in the organization is a fundamental performance and efficiency issue. On the shoulders of cohesion rests the heavy load of ensuring the strategic direction of an organization is known, understood and, most importantly, acted on.
Management As A System
By: Craig Nathanson | 09/11/2009A management system also has many processes on multiple levels. They all contribute to the health of the management system.
Personalities I admire: Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam
By: hasan yahya | 07/11/2009Muhammad,(pbuh), the Prophet, the state person, the most influential in history to make change, the man, the leader and most beloved among Muslims. This article is an attribute to this great person which the author admired.
Leadership at Peace and War in Islam
By: hasan yahya | 07/11/2009This is a glimpse of Islamic history during the Prophet’s life and after in terms of leadership in peace and war times. Which is critical for human rights included later in the UN codes on war and peace times.
Change, Plan, Execute - This is your paradigm speaking
By: Jonathan Grigg | 07/11/2009A brief discussion piece highlighting why organisational change programs often produce less than satisfactory results and how to overcome this.
Mlm join Immediately or Become Overdue, it is most Likely the answer to your Plea
By: Dale Dupree | 06/11/2009These things we discuss in this article are just the basic topics and there are lot there to learn to become satisfied in mlm marketing business in the long run. With this mlm tips, you will definitely have a good start and that leads to a long term mlm success. Mlm advertise is a powerful income earning opportunity that has been around for many decades..
If We Lose One More Top Performer.
By: Dale Furtwengler | 05/11/2009A truly counter-intuitive approach to retaining top talent with tips for using organizational structure to align talent with organizational needs. Enjoy!
Is An Ultimate Leadership Guide The Answer?
By: Simon Oates | 25/10/2009 | LeadershipIn the past 10 years, there has been a huge cry for ultimate leadership guides to come flying off the British and American presses. Why is this? Well, it's because leadership in recently decades has become fragmented and confused for many individuals, and is now in danger of alienating even...
Can An Ultimate Leadership Guide Ever Exist?
By: Simon Oates | 25/10/2009 | LeadershipLeadership often comes across as a vast and confusing topic. There are many reasons why this is the case: - Personal Development is an unscientific process, and therefore clear and simple techniques are hard to validate. Similarly, incorrect or harmful tips are impossible to disprove. For this reason, many 'rogue' leadership...
Leadership - 4 Surefire Ways To Improve Your Influence
By: Simon Oates | 21/09/2009 | LeadershipLeadership and influence are often mistaken as being the same thing. They're heavily connected - I agree, but influence is merely one strand, one element - one segment of being a great leader. Influence is often the most prolific, public and easy to identity elements of leadership, and I believe...
Why You Need to Upgrade Your Leadership Strategy Now (and How You Can do So.)
By: Simon Oates | 17/08/2009 | LeadershipRecession Recession Recession. Its the word being thrown most around organisations atm, but how should it directly affect leadership styles used in organisations, and the leadership development programmes it offers to its employees? A drastic change is the answer, and you're the person who will deliver it. 2 years ago, companies invested heavily...
Leadership Coaching Vs Leadership Training Vs Classes - Find Out Which Is The Clear Winner
By: Simon Oates | 21/07/2009 | LeadershipIn this recessionary period, many business leaders across the world are turning to a variety of solutions to help them build a solid set of leadership to help them (and their business) weather the recession as well as possible. Leadership isn't just a simple case of charisma + confidence + likeability....
How To Easily Become Leader When Abroad
By: Simon Oates | 21/07/2009 | LeadershipIf you're sufficiently 'middle' in 'middle management', then you will have probably experienced the pleasure that is.. travelling abroad 'on business'. Conferences, important meetings, liasions or entertaining clients are just a few of the most common reasons for travelling aboard. All of these require you to be looking and performing at...
Sports And Leadership Development - How To Dominate The Competition
By: Simon Oates | 21/07/2009 | Sports & FitnessLeadership and Sports are not often seen as similar or overlapping topics. 'What does a CEO have in common with a golf player?' you may ask in puzzlement. I wouldn't be surprised - the common perception of leadership is that it is an elite skill only reserved for top businessmen...
How To Use Advanced Leadership Techniques To Improve The Diet Of Your Family
By: Simon Oates | 19/07/2009 | HealthWe all know how hard it can be to encourage your family to try out a new diet. Whether you're a mother of 3 with a health-orientated conscience, or a teenager with a passion for fitness - we've all attempted to persuade our family to eat better and healthier at...