Seven Steps for Inspiring Employees During Difficult Times
By Terry Barber
With a suffering economy, looming
layoffs and threat of bankruptcy,
there is the temptation to operate our
corporations and business in fear.
Focusing on raising the inspiration
factor through developing people yields
incredible value for stakeholders, customers
and employees alike. Raising the
inspiration factor one step at a time will
change the culture of your organization.
A company with a high inspiration factor
attracts and keeps good talent, and its
employees forge long-term profitable
relationships with customers.
Here are seven steps organizations
should take to inspire employees during
these difficult times.
Authenticity
Get out of the image management business,
for yourself and your company.
Share with the people in your organization
where you are weak. Verbally express
just how much you need them. Let them
know that you know your limitations.
Invite them to partner with you.
Connect with Others’ Dreams
Use these difficult times to uncover the
latent dreams and ambitions of your key
talent. Tell them you are more committed
than ever to helping them get to
where they want to go. Be creative in
aligning their tasks for today with their
dreams for tomorrow.
See in Others the Abilities
They Don’t See in Themselves
Take time to be observant. Quit the craziness
long enough to notice the talent in
those around you. This principle works
best by breaking it down into three steps:
notice, name and nurture.
After you have noticed a talent or
strength in a person, let him or her know
you noticed it and be specific about what
you noticed. Don’t just say, “I noticed
you are a hard worker.” Instead say, “I
notice you care very deeply about making
sure the details are in order,” or “I notice
you are very articulate on that subject.”
Look for ways to bring that talent out
by providing opportunities and training
to support that particular talent.
Speak and Live with Credibility
I also refer to this principle as leading with
moral authority. It does not mean much
for you to say, “Let’s keep looking for the
opportunity ahead,” while living in fear
and operating with a scarcity mentality.
Inspire With Great Stories
This is the principle of overhearing.
The emphasis here is looking for and
telling stories that have a lesson. What
can you learn from the story of a mountain
climber? What can you glean from
the story of one who has gone from rags
to riches or better yet, from riches to
rags? Pull your team together today and
use stories to inspire.
Help People to Live on Purpose
Remind them that what happens at work
is only a portion of their life. As important
as that portion is, it is not all that
there is to life. Help people write down
a vision statement for their life first and
then for their job.
Create a Culture of Inspiration
Following the example of John Wooden,
UCLA’s iconic coach, become teachers
committed to excellence and character
development. Chasing numbers and
making decisions by looking only at the
“bottom line” causes us to be reactive
and impulsive.
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