Leadership and Morale
I was informed the other day that my latest blog posts have become too technical. Too much on the logistical side of management and not enough about leadership.
"Cheer us up," they said.
"Share something that will motivate us," some asked.
"Not a problem - I am here for you!" I replied.
A new survey conducted by Harris Interactive shows that -
"...if your company has experienced layoffs, productivity has been negatively impacted."
I know, I know. Not too motivating a statement. But stick with me for a second, as it is not all gloom and doom.
Well, maybe just a little. First the gloom and doom facts -
- 66% of those workers say that morale has suffered on the job and people are less motivated
- 64% of those workers say that there is too much work and not enough people to do it
- 37% said that the wrong people were laid off, leading to inefficient coverage of some departments
This does not surprise me, nor should it surprise you. Anytime employees are asked to do more with less, you can expect the above to happen.
So what can you do about it? That's the good news! You have total control over your attitude and behavior.
It does not matter how many people are fired or put on administrative leave without pay. It does not matter how much work you have to do. It does not matter how much you disagree with decisions that are being made.
All that does matter is HOW you handle it. Poor leaders will cry and complain. Successful leaders will adapt and adjust accordingly.
No one ever said leadership was going to be easy. It is hard work, and this is a tough time to be a leader. You are being tested every day.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do right now is to be a positive impact on your TEAM. They might be having a harder time than you, and they may be looking to you for support. You need to be there for them with a positive outlook. In an upcoming post, I am going to share the virtues of Servant Leadership.
So what can you do today?
- Remember that YOU control your intrinsic motivation factors. YOU control your mood, your desire, and your ability to be a team player.
- Surround yourself with positive people. Eat lunch and take breaks with the high performers in your location.
- Finally, keep a big picture outlook. It won't stay this way forever...
Hang in there, and continue to have a positive impact in your area!
Comments