This post was written in 2009 but remains relevant as we now adapt to yet another black swan event.
The global economic meltdown has presented a huge challenge for organizations to not only survive but to also emerge stronger for Canada’s eventual return to prosperity. I was lucky enough to attend a Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions discussion on the topic of “leading through crisis” that explored the impact of uncertainty on people and organizations, the key actions for leaders, and the most common mistakes that emerge during crisis. Key insights:
– Ensure you have the right strategic vision and contingency plans and make the tough calls early, decisively, and accurately.
– Be empathetic, accessible, transparent, and model the right organizational values and behaviours, especially with impacted employees.
– Focus your employees on the most critical outcome so that cuts and changes can support that goal.
– Positively position this as an opportunity for transformation and constant improvement versus a one-time crisis. Give your employees tough problems to solve and use it as an opportunity to design flexibility into your culture, roles, and processes.
– Approach the transformation comprehensively with investments in strategy, communication, leadership skills, and structured change exercises so that employees can clearly understand the overall plan, modify their roles and processes, and partner with the leadership team to uncover new opportunities for positive change.
– HR professionals should model the values and leadership practices, be a change champion and source of insight for senior managers, and help transform the skills and practices of your organization.
Lastly, remember that this crisis will pass.
I hope this has been helpful and of course the Adaptive Talent team would welcome the opportunity to help you and your team improve your results and adaptability via our culture and organizational development consulting, communications and coaching / mentoring training, total rewards consulting, assessments, leadership coaching and development programs and retained search to help you land high impact talent.