When was the last time you said “I don’t know” in front of your employees? (Out loud so someone would hear it.)

When was the last time you shared something new that you learned? (Not acting as if you had known it all along.)

As a leader, we must model self-empowerment. This is a small step to creating an environment where not knowing everything and learning are accepted. I love hearing bosses tell their employees what they learned from a customer, co-worker or another employee, or what new tool they are using to improve their effectiveness. Employees then begin to wonder what they should be learning.

Just recently, I have begun learning sign language so I can more effectively communicate with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It is very exciting to be learning a new language and also very humbling to have to ask people to slow down and repeat the signs so I can understand. It shows my vulnerability; yet persistence. One of my employees has already come to me to discuss what she should be learning and figuring out what would be the next opportunity for her. She said you have me thinking in new ways about my own job.

Engaging employees to help direct their own development, take ownership in increasing their skills ultimately benefits the Company. So I ask you… what self-development are you participating in? How can you begin to model self-empowerment?

Top 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times…

Did you stick with me through all the leadership tips I provided? Have you applied any of these? Let me know with a comment below. I would love your feedback.

Visit my web page at TheLeadershipResource.com to get the full leadership article.

To empowering passionate leadership in you!

Susan

This is Leadership Tip 7 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.

Stay Focused!

One of the most important notions for anyone to embrace is that life is a marathon. Steady, incremental progress will ensure success. Empowered leaders recognize that even an economic downturn is not a signal that the race is over. Instead, it could be viewed as the proverbial “Heartbreak Hill” in the marathon of life. Heartbreak Hill is legendary among distance runners as it is a ½ mile long incline that occurs in the Boston Marathon just after runners pass the 20 mile mark of this epic 26.2 mile event. Even the smallest incline seems insurmountable after completing 20 miles, but in order to finish, Heartbreak Hill must be conquered. Inspired, passionate leaders always encounter their own personal Heartbreak Hill somewhere along their corporate journey. Even with all available outside support, the effort required at that point comes from somewhere deep inside. Passionate, assertive, confident leaders find the wherewithal required to prevail even during the toughest of times. When the light is the dimmest, when the hill is the steepest, the passionate leader will find the warrior within and stay focused on the finish!

To the journey,

Susan

This is Leadership Tip 6 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.

Be a Sounding Board for Those Airing Grievances, but Re-Direct Their Negativity

A leader who is open, up front, available, accessible and communicative does incur some inherent risk. The honest and forthright leader may become a target for all sorts of negativity during difficult economic times. That should not come as a surprise, as most humans feel compelled to share both good news and bad news in equal measure. But the confident, assertive, and compassionate leader has an almost innate ability to redirect that negative concern into a productive response.

Active listening always includes careful consideration but also includes perceptive follow up questions. Any employee bringing a grievance surely has already considered a coping strategy. Invite the employee to share that strategy, evaluate its possible implementation, and if it is not viable, ask that same employee to develop an alternative. Encourage them to solicit input from others in their work group in order to develop consensus. Their efforts toward reaching consensus will illuminate the difficulties in making large groups happy, as well as create some group synergy that may feed the ultimate solution strategy. The passionate leader will have empowered others to directly impact their work group and will have given an important voice to a previously disenfranchised employee.

To listening,

Susan

This is Leadership Tip 5 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.

Stay Visible (Ostriches Not Welcome)

Some of the darkest times endured during modern history were the days and weeks and years that marked WWII. But Americans’ spirits were buoyed by the regular and frequent communication of then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt. These “fireside chats” as the radio broadcasts came to be called, provided the public with updates and information and they also took comfort from hearing this information straight from the most influential leader on the planet. When darkness prevails, a leader will emerge as the beacon of light.

Passionate leaders during economic depressions will also recognize the same kind of darkness and make themselves visible and available. They will be willing to field questions and to honestly answer anything – even if that means admitting they don’t know the answer. The fearlessness and confidence on display when business leaders are accessible becomes contagious and eventually permeates throughout the company. Regular and frequent communication from leaders will also fill a void that if left unattended, will ultimately be filled by rumor, gossip, and innuendo. An authoritative and confident voice can help lead companies through dark economic times by keeping the focus on staying afloat until prosperity returns. Passionate leaders are encouraged to borrow the mantra of FDR that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

Be fearless,

Susan

This is Leadership Tip 4 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.

Be Willing to Forego Your Popularity

Adulation is an intoxicating elixir. It is so empowering, that it often masks the symptoms of bad leadership and can make uncovering a problem almost impossible. But popularity should never be mistaken for success. Impassioned leaders almost always enjoy the admiration of those within their sphere of influence, but they never let popularity enter into decision-making. These leaders are willing to give up short-lived success for long-term gain, even if their own popularity suffers, because they recognize the fleeting nature of popularity vs. the sustainability of professional achievement. During an economic downturn, leaders are often tasked with making difficult and unpopular but necessary decisions in order to sustain the viability of a business entity. A modern, compassionate leader will make these decisions confidently and fully cognizant of the immediate impact on the organization. But that same passionate leader will never be guided by short-sighted principles of popularity rather than the strategic visionary plan necessary for sustained success.

Warm regards,

Susan

This is Leadership Tip 3 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.

Be Patient Without Sacrificing Your Will to Succeed

It is a natural human inclination to want to jump off of the perceived “sinking ship” in order to survive. As we see friends, colleagues, and departments leave or be forced out, often our own reaction is to flee as well. However, your patience in hard times may be rewarded with something even better once the storm blows over and prosperity returns. Ancient mariners caught in blustery weather on the open seas would often drop cargo to lighten their load and then trim the sails in order to maintain control of their vessel. Corporate downsizing is a similar type of survival technique. We mere mortals can’t hurry up a storm. The best we can do is batten down our hatches, prepare to weather the storm, and patiently wait for the sky to clear. The good news is that no storm lasts forever, just as no economic slowdown lasts forever. Those patient enough to ride out the economic storm with a cautious and conservative survival plan, will be recognized for their inspired leadership once the fiscal blue skies return.

Staying strong,

Susan

This is Leadership Tip 2 of 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.

Open Up! – Not Just Your Ears, but Your Heart and Your Mind as well

Most modern companies have found success by constantly tweaking their tried and true methods until they developed the most productive and efficient way to create their deliverable. However, in difficult economic times, companies are often required to become leaner without sacrificing quality. Typically, leaders have been promoted into their roles because of their ability to understand the requirements at that level and implement strategies to maintain the expected growth. During economic downturns, strategic management becomes a critical component for survival. While it is expected that passionate leaders will trust their instincts and judgment, it is also clear that those workers in the “trenches” may be the best untapped resource in any company.

Passionate leaders will always listen to their heart, but brilliant passionate leaders will appreciate what those who do the job every day have to say about streamlining and efficiency. It is widely recognized that active listening is a critical leadership skill, but it is not enough just to listen. Leaders who excel listen, assimilate, and learn – even when it means discarding the tried and true methodology for something radically different. Be brave enough to embrace ideas that come from the bottom up rather than just those from the top down.

To courageous leadership,

Susan

So times are difficult! Your energy level and your commitment maybe wavering between why should I bother and it won’t make a difference anyway. Let me offer 7 Leadership Tips for Managing Difficult Times.

Difficult times are when we can be noticed; when new opportunities can show up without us even asking for them; when we get challenged to step our leadership abilities to a new level. Over the next seven days, I will be presenting one tip a day to get you thinking.

Here is the first one:

Slow Down – but Never Lose Momentum…

Difficult economic times typically result in a tumultuous work environment. There may be belt-tightening that includes layoffs, outsourcing, and the demand for increased efficiency. All of these changes can combine to undermine the productivity of your workforce. Direct reports may begin to lose confidence in the leadership of the organization. Empowered leaders will immediately recognize a need to adapt their pace to the demands facing them. This may require you to put some projects and promotions on a back burner until the economic ship rights itself.

That being said, it is critical to maintain momentum in your department and in your career.

You may be required to jog instead of run, but you still need to keep moving forward, as do your direct reports. Your grand successes may be achieved later rather than sooner, but passionate leaders never forget or sacrifice the ultimate goal. Be forthcoming with your direct reports. They will reward your trust with continued productivity at a pace that best reflects the changing times.

All the best,

Susan