The UP-SIDE to the DOWNTURN
Leading in Today's Economy
by Karen Peña
My husband and I recently went to visit our financial counselor. We took two boxes of tissue with us: one for us and one for him.
I think I felt sorrier for him than us. His office is on the first floor of a building with a huge window facing the parking lot. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but he was having the window replaced with bullet proof glass.
I used to tell my audiences that we act like we are the most stressed out society on earth and asked how many wish they had invested years ago in Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. Now I'm afraid to bring it up for fear some might be selling it!
Some people think it's the Republicans fault, some think it's the Democrats. Some think it's the media, religion, global warming and I would venture that some even think it's the Tooth Fairy's fault. She's gotten really greedy over the last few years. I know this because I have a 6-year-old granddaughter!
Regardless of what you think caused it, the fact is, it is here and it is going to be around a while. We just have to deal with it.
Although we are all in for a long haul, there are certainly things that your organization can do to survive and even succeed during this downturn. We all know that the success of a business lies flatly on the shoulders of the employees. Now you are leading your team in a whole new world, which means that you have to have a whole new game plan. So here are a few tips for keeping your team engaged, focused and motivated:
Of all of the above, I think the last point is by far the most important. I have always been accused of being the ultimate optimist, but I truly believe that the bottom line to all of this comes down to each and every one of us focusing on the positive and not the negative. In spite of everything, we still live in an AWESOME country with AWESOME opportunities. Celebrate that every day!!
(Karen Pena is a National Account Manager for ConferenceDirect and is the Owner/President - Karen Pena Professionally Speaking.)