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Now - Time for
Building Momentum
There is hardly a
company that has gone untouched by the current economic
turmoil. It is obvious that in order to survive, retain
talent and innovate, business leaders must be willing to
look at everything with new eyes. Although
intellectually we understand we need to change our ways,
as human beings we naturally resist change. Right now
there is a lot of fear and confusion about how to go
about it. Intelligent business leaders want to change
but it is no wonder they are panicky: a failure could
turn out to be more detrimental than ever before.
However, business is no longer the same – change has
arrived.
The rapidly
changing business environment has increased the need to
address and enhance and accelerate the effectiveness of
leaders working collectively and individually to weather
the current storm on the way to future achievements.
The uncertainty and
negativity plagues workplaces all over the world has
dire consequences:
• Earlier
established objectives may now be obsolete.
• Teams realize
that members begin to protect their own private agendas.
• Even the most
cohesive leadership and management teams can crack under
pressure
• Leaders may find
that diligence and hard work are no longer enough
• The bare bones
business is no fun.
• Hiring freezes
bring about fear, suspicion, cynicism and gossip.
• Survivor guilt of
those left in the company after the layoffs paralyses
productivity.
This environment
requires a new kind of leadership and team capabilities.
Sustainability of high performance has become a must,
not a nice to have. Teaming is a skill and it must be
learned now or never! People need to learn capacity to
move from fear to positivity. It requires:
• Recognition of
the external pressures and risks on business but
separating the facts from fiction: what are we making up
and assuming?
• Taking steps to
reverse the panic and fear by involving employees in
co-creating a new vision and a strategic plan for
success instead of falling into victim-mindset.
• Increasing
positivity and application of antidotes to relationship
toxins in teams.
• Creating more
engagement through activities that increase trust,
respect, camaraderie and positive communication.
All of this is
doable if the leaders are willing to see beyond their
self interest and invest into first growing their people
(including themselves) and then with their help building
momentum for growth in their companies. Business does
not happen in isolation and success is not a singular
event. Long term success is built not only by building a
great product efficiently but through mobilizing the
internal energy and building momentum with customers and
stakeholders by involvement. |
