Success strategies for tough times: How to stand up when the chips are down
By Dr Liz Bywater
There's just no getting around it. Times are tough. The economy
is in crisis, businesses are struggling, previously secure workers
are now fearful of losing their jobs. The emotional impact can be
great, leading to feelings of anxiety and depression - and a
concomitant loss of focus and creativity. The potential effects on
work performance consist of reduced productivity, innovation, and
overall employee morale.
Yet there is opportunity for growth in the midst of these economic
hard times. While it might go against intuition, success in
difficult times calls for holding true to basic tenets of effective
behavior. With the proper attitude and approach, you can indeed
thrive in uncertain times.
In the interest of full disclosure - and to give credit where
credit is due - I have to thank my 5-year old son for the
inspiration for today's tips. For it was during a delightful Sunday
afternoon together - filled with game-playing, puzzle-assembling,
artwork and general enjoyment - that my attention was drawn to the
power of the basics. Here are a few tips I'd like to share with
you:
Work as a team. Whether you're putting
together a Spiderman jigsaw puzzle (as we were) or advancing a new
product to market, there's nothing like the power of collaboration.
Working together allows for faster progress and more creative
solutions.
Be accountable. If you've made a commitment, stick
to it. And while you're at it, hold those around you accountable,
too. My son didn't waste a moment taking me to task when I tried to
divert him from his much-loved game of Candyland. "But Mom, you
promised!" And so I did.
Be supportive. When your coworker or report does
something well, give him a well-deserved pat on the back. If he's
uncertain and needs a little encouragement, offer it up. I can't
tell you how lovely it was to hear my little guy comment on my
drawing by saying, "Mommy, I love your work."
Share resources. Lean times can mean limited
access to valued resources. The temptation might be to get what you
can for yourself and your team, even if that means leaving others
empty-handed. Yet sharing resources (in my case, taking turns with
the yellow crayon) with others means they're far more likely to do
the same for you.
Refresh yourself. Stressful times can take a
profound toll on your physical and emotional well-being. Don't
forget to take some time to refresh and reenergize yourself at
regular intervals. Your approach to refreshment may differ from my
5-year old's (snacking on Cheerios and chocolate milk), so find
what works for you. Then do it.
Be flexible. Challenging times call for
flexibility and a willingness to do things differently. You may
have to take on new responsibilities, modify your schedule, or work
with a different set of people. Letting go of disappointment (for
my son, that meant not finding his favorite program on TV) and
being open to new opportunities will help you gain credibility as a
resilient and cooperative team player.
Finally, at the risk of sounding rather Pollyannaish,
Be positive. Even the worst of storms passes with
time. Remaining optimistic, grounded, and focused on the future
will help you weather the hard times and move bravely ahead. I was
so proud of my son, who had been feeling somewhat under the
weather, when he declared, "I'm sick but I'm happy." Now there's an
attitude that will serve him well in both good times and
bad.
