Hopeful Realism: The Vision People Want Now

Right now, organizations everywhere are doing the "turtle" thing: pulling their heads and wallets into their shells. Downsizing, limited spending, extended vendor payments, and lean operations are the modus operandi today.

Most employees really do understand this. But they want to know something else:

What are your intentions for the future?

The human condition can accept survival mode, but it needs to know that some kind of growth will follow. Think of it this way:

Survivability: We've got to get through today so there is a tomorrow.

Sustainability: What will we be doing when tomorrow comes?

This is where the notion of leadership emerges. If you are doing business by managing the checkbook, you are managing. If you are able to do that and describe possibilities for the future, you are providing leadership as well.

Fuzzy is Just Fine

Organizations are concerned that people will become discouraged and leave because of a total focus on survival. I'm not seeing  that. Instead, I'm hearing people say, "I get it and am willing to do my part; but if I don't hear anyone start talking about the future I will start looking around."

Given the dynamics in the world economy, you may not have a clear picture of the future. Trust me on this one: that's OK. Your people want to know that you are, in fact, thinking about the future; that you believe there is a future;  and, that you are willing to discuss the various scenarios you think are possible.

No matter how nebulous, start talking about the future now. Your folks need it and you need them.

Comments

[Mile High Pixie]

After the second major round of layoffs at my office in the fall, I went to my big boss and asked if I should just leave. He said no, but to get really good at our new drafting software because WHEN the work came back, I'd have to do a lot of my own drafting. I didn't think about it then, but what he told me was a) you're staying til the bitter end, Pixie, and b) we believe the bitter end isn't closing the firm but rather working with a smaller-than-usual crew, plus c) there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not a train.

[Steve Roesler]

MHP,

That vivid example represents exactly what I'm trying to convey. It was done on an individual level but you heard many messages. If something similar can be (legitimately) done on a larger scale, the impact would be magnified.

Thank you for popping in quickly with a real-life scenario.

[Karin H.]

Hi Steve

Here in the UK there is a big, big row at the moment because one of the ministers dared to say something a bit more positive.
She (Barones Vadera) dared to say she saw some green shoots of economic recovery (i.e. some promising growth for the future).

Suffice to say she's been 'slashed' down as "not in touch with reality". Pitty, we can use some optimistic sounds to get back into fighting mode for a better future.

Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

[Steve Roesler]

Karin,

My experience is that politicians have agendas that require specific scenarios. If it seems that power can be had by maintaining a total financial doomsday scenario, then anyone getting in the way would be threatening and, therefore, someone to be silenced.

A popular saying is, "The first casualty of war is truth." It appears that the economic war is producing the same casualty.

[Karin H.]

Hi Steve

Could be, but I also think it is the media. Scared stiff nowadays for positive news: doesn't sell! No more depressing expert to interview, no more doom and gloom to forecast!

;-)
Rant over

Karin H

[Steve Roesler]

Karin,

That may certainly --and unfortunately--be a contributing factor.

[Jeff]

I love the turtle analogy...I think that it is almost like our natural fight or flight response. And withdrawing a little is certainly natural. The thing is there is so much opportunity for organizations who are willing to focus and still find ways to remain aggresive. Whether that is with recruiting talent, developing leaders or marketing it doesn't matter, those are all components of a strategy that will leave you in a great position when everyone else is just beginning to pull their head out of the shell.

Recent blog post: Tough Times Will Lead To Better Talent

[Steve Roesler]

Jeff,

I'm seeing what you are seeing. There are a number of client companies who are using this as a time to look more accurately at what--and who--they need for they future, and doing it in a much more thorough way.