10 Lessons for Managing in

Tough Times

That I Learned the Hard Way

managers resource handbook.com

Let’s face it…

…business can be complicated. It can be messy.

There are internal challenges, external forces

and unpredictable events that can impact an

organization.

There are peaks and valleys to things like

revenue, employment and morale.

As managers,

our job is to accelerate in good times…

…. And just keep the train on the tracks when

things are less than good.

Stepping on the gas to accelerate is not too hard,

But, man, holding things together

is far from easy.

I’ve been through both with some success…

… and a good amount of failure.

I want to share with you some of those learnings,

to help you manage more effectively.

Because ultimately, we all just want to go

home and get to what it is we enjoy.

Let’s get started…

1. It’s Not Just Nuclear War

It doesn’t have to be the

Cuban Missile Crisis...

Nor does it have to be the

Great Depression of the 1930s…

…Or storms of

Biblical proportions...

…for times to be tough.

Tough times can result from

layoffs or restructuring,

The departure of key personnel,

Or simply a critical phase of a high profile project.

So keep your eyes and ears open and pay

attention to your team.

Even though it might not be on the evening

news, doesn’t mean it’s not important.

2. Remain Committed to People

As a manager, your people are what make

you successful.

So your actions as a leader carry tremendous

weight when times are tough...

… and those decisions will impact people.

So don’t forget them. They have memories.

And will remember your actions when things

get better. Because they will get better.

3. Focus on What You Can Do

Your team members can not

change the situation.

Just as you can not.

Focus on your span of control,

and what it is your team does well.

Reduce priorities to the key few, and be

crystal clear with your decisions.

Leave nothing to interpretation.

4. Morale is a Virus

If your people see you stressed and negative,

it will only make their stress and anxiety worse.

So keep a positive attitude…

…and a chin-up style,

even if you’re secretly struggling as well.

No matter what.

Your people will watch you closely and your

positive attitude will help keep them calm.

And focused on the task at hand.

5. Transparency is Everything

Be open and honest with your information.

Don’t be cryptic and don’t hold back.

And don’t speak in manager code, or

whatever language it is that executives speak.

For better or worse.

Tell them what you know, when you know it.

It reduces fear and build trust in you…

As their leader and manager.

6. Connect with the Individuals

Your people will respond to struggle in different

ways. That’s what makes them unique.

Don’t talk in generalities.

Or be inhuman.

Take time to talk to each person to find out

what their personal concerns are.

And make a connection to help reassure that

you have their best interests in mind.

7. Communicate Often

Radio silence when times are tough is

poisonous to morale and fuel for fear.

Just because you may have been

through it before,

Doesn’t mean that they have.

Any information is better than no information.

And don’t be secretive

like it’s a matter of national security.

Just talk to them.

Let people know the plan

(and make sure you have one).

8. Trauma Needs Attention

When a trauma patient enters

the Emergency Room…

Doctors don’t ask them what hurts…

…and walk away.

When your team is hurting and there is

uncertainty or struggle,

Don’t just ask them where they hurt

and walk away.

Find some sort of help,

or medicine to make things a little easier.

A happy hour, a day off, relief of a deadline, or

even just a voice of reassurance

that things will get better, is sometimes all it takes.

9. Be the Karate Kid

Ukemi is a term in martial arts that can be

described as the art of falling…

…in order to minimize the damage.

Sometimes, when there are just too many forces

at work, too many unknowns or things to juggle,

Success becomes unlikely.

And you as a manager will need to decide

what to drop …

In order to protect the people,

the team, and the organization,

… from the fall.

Ukemi.

10. Celebrate Success

In times of adversity, it often comes down to

succeeding through small victories.

Celebrate those wins, those victories.

Because turning things around always

starts with a small victory.

It boosts morale…

…and helps take the edge off for even a few

short moments.

Small victories.

So there you have it.

10 lessons for managing in tough times

that I have learned over the years.

I hope this helps.

And for those of you who are dealing with

tough times right now…

Here is one more thing I forgot to mention…

Like a kidney stone….

…this too shall pass.

Chin up.

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