As a leader, you simply never know when your organisation is going to sail into stormy waters. Whether it’s due to reasons within or entirely outside of your control, inspiring leadership is needed more than ever when times are tough. Staff can often become overwhelmed by all the pressure and uncertainty that comes during turbulent times, making it crucially important that leaders are able to ensure their employees stay inspired and motivated.
“Leaders need to be most agile and resilient especially when their people are looking to them for direction,” says Jason Grundy, Managing Director, Robert Walters Middle East & Africa, “This starts with being aware of how you cope under pressure and adapting your approach to suit the environment. Stepping away from negativity and leading your people to a more positive mindset with the right behaviours is what sets inspiring leaders apart from the rest.”
Transform panic into passion
It’s easy to understand why many people panic when thrust into difficult situations. As a leader, it can be tough to get through to people when there is so much uncertainty in the air. Despite this, you can use critical moments to your advantage. The seriousness and weight of the situation can be turned into an inspiring call to action, rather than a cause for panic and uncertainty. Many people can be on edge in testing times – use this to yours and their advantage rather than letting it hinder progress.
Turn rhetoric into action
Most people will have heard a lot of the usual rhetoric that leaders engage in, so it might not have quite the impact you hope it will. Even though what you are saying might be true and capable of offering inspiration, often just using words without purposeful action can fail to have the desired effect. This is why it’s crucial that you do more than just talk – put into practice initiatives and calls to action that will help turn your words into tangible results in the workplace.
Be firm but fair
There’s no doubt that when times get tough, the demands placed on every member of staff increase significantly. Given that pressure is already likely to be quite high, the additional effort and focus required to navigate through difficulties can be tough for many people; however, the critical nature of getting through tough times means you can’t be too lax, or you won’t make it through. This is why it’s crucial to strike the right balance between firmness and fairness. Show your staff a side of you that understands the difficult position they are in, but let them know that they are strong and dedicated enough to get through it if they work hard enough.
Unite your team
When things go wrong, people often look for something or someone to blame it on. This is the kind of hostile working atmosphere that can be incredibly detrimental to your organisation as your employees are not working together as a team towards one common goal. Gathering everyone together to remind them that staying united as a team is the strongest way to approach any challenge in the future is far better than dwelling on the mistakes of the past.
Tech tools to help run a smooth remote hiring process
The remote hiring process provides you with an opportunity to present your employer brand in an engaging way and if managed effectively will create a positive impact on your prospective employees. Whilst face to face contact is almost always the preference, right now it isn’t possible, and tech is t
Read MoreTomorrow’s most in demand skills
The global pandemic has disrupted global markets and changed the face of some industries. At the same time, prompted employers to look at the capabilities their workforces will require in the years ahead. That’s particularly timely, given that the World Economic Forum announced in January that “The
Read More7 ways to create a stand-out recruitment experience
Recruiting top talent can be challenging, but it’s also an essential part of developing your business and meeting its long-term goals. Improving the way you hire will not only maintain the smooth operation of your business, but also ensure you attract the best talent on the market. To help you hire
Read MoreCome join our global team of creative thinkers, problem solvers and game changers. We offer accelerated career progression, a dynamic culture and expert training.