The Newsletter dedicated to Managers and Business Owners

6 Tips for Pulling Your Team Out of Recession

The recession is everywhere these days. It’s like a virus. Few companies have escaped it’s evil clutches. This downturn has made it difficult to manage morale and take care of employee needs. Workplace motivation is at an all-time low, and things are only forecasted to get worse. It is important to keep your team engaged and happy during this recession. Here are six great tips for motivating your team in the face of adversity.

Tell the Truth

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to motivating your team. Employees will be worried about losing their jobs and their lives will be impacted by the recession. Don’t sugarcoat the information that you provide. Be transparent and honest about what is going on in your company. Your team will love and respect you for it.

Talk to the Elephant in the Room

Gossip is the number one killer of workplace motivation. We all know how some members of our team are experts at spreading negativity. Rumors about layoffs, cutbacks, or pay freezes can set your employees’ mouths in motion. When you hear rumors floating around the workplace, address them as quickly as possible. If something becomes parasitic and problematic, you might have to hold a special meeting to get your team back on track.

Get Out of the Store

Motivating your team will be much easier if you all get out of the store and relax. Organize an off-site lunch or special outing as a means of renewal and stirring up creativity. This type of team activity may be costly, but the positive return and ideas will be worth the investment.

Hear Them Out

Workplace motivation during a recession will also be impacted by things that are happening to your employees outside of work. Listen to the challenges they face and be sensitive to their needs and concerns. Everyone likes to be listened to, but few claim to have worked for anyone that cared.

Avoid the Fear Virus

Whenever there is a crisis of any kind, fear is often times a killer. With the threats that recession poses, your employees will be extremely susceptible to fear. Don’t let fear have a negative impact on your company and team. Tell them to focus on the things which can actually be controlled, and forget about those which cannot.

Say “Thanks” and Reward Accomplishments

Motivating your team with recognition and rewards for accomplishments is the most effective means of keeping things moving during a recession. Recognition can be tangible rewards, a certificate of recognition, thank you note, or pat on the back. They all go a long way in employee motivation.

Implementing a combination of these strategies can enhance team motivation in your workplace. The most important thing to remember during this recession is that people and relationships need to be managed with care while it is upon us. Keep the lines of communication between you and your employees open so that you can be successful in stopping the spread of fear and encouraging teamwork. While you cannot control the economy, you can exercise some influence over workplace motivation. After all, our team is everything to us.

Josh Long