| I'm old enough to have been through recessions | | | | Here are some ideas to rebuild and renew your |
| before, but I was one of the lucky ones and | | | | team: |
| managed to keep my job. But as a manager, I've | | | | Rebuilding Your Stressed-Out Teamo Have |
| also had to experience the painful reality of letting | | | | frequent "attitude adjustment"" staff meetings. If |
| an employee(s) go. | | | | the budget allows, bring in donuts or cookies; ask |
| But even when (if) you get back on track after | | | | a member of management to speak/reassure; |
| the downsizing, your surviving staff members can | | | | quote the newspaper whenever you see a |
| become demoralized, stressed, and generally | | | | glimmer of positive news.o Consider a team |
| unproductive. There really is something called | | | | activity on a weekend or after hours; include |
| "survivor's guilt." | | | | spouses and significant others. You don't have to |
| The atmosphere in a downsized department (or | | | | spend money, but ask everybody to meet at a |
| business) often feels like someone has died. You | | | | sports bar, park/beach or even someone's home |
| walk by the former employee's work area or | | | | (bring potluck snacks). It's a time to bring |
| cubicle, look at the empty walls and desk where | | | | everybody together; there is assurance in |
| family photos were once proudly displayed...and it | | | | numbers.o Post positive information (realistic info, |
| feels almost haunted. Not only are the personal | | | | not sickly sweet). Look for info in the paper, |
| items gone, but so is the spirit of the person who | | | | television news, the Internet, the company |
| once "lived" there. | | | | newsletter, whatever. Remind your team that |
| Everyone on the team feels the sadness, and of | | | | 90% of the population is still employed.o If there |
| course each has his/her own way of dealing with | | | | is any possibility that lay-offs might occur (or |
| the aftermath. | | | | resume), always check with HR before you start |
| So it clearly becomes the leader's responsibility to | | | | giving career advice, but find out if the company |
| bring the team back together, quell their fears | | | | is offering outplacement information -- i.e. resume |
| stress, and rebuild spirit and morale...and at a time | | | | prep, networking, interviewing and job search |
| when your own enthusiasm isn't exactly off the | | | | skills. Some companies have an EAP office or |
| charts either. | | | | offer classes in stress management. Find out |
| This is not an assignment for the weak. For a | | | | what resources are there to help your team. |
| leader to bring his/her team back to maximum | | | | To protect yourself, be aware that people can |
| productivity and morale takes thought, effort and | | | | think and do crazy things under stress. You could |
| sensitivity. | | | | find yourself facing a law suit if you say -- or |
| Leaders can't bury their heads in the sand and | | | | even IMPLY -- anything that can be deemed |
| hope that magically the situation will correct itself. | | | | insensitive or inappropriate. Keep your foot out of |
| Of course, in due time it will - but your team will | | | | your mouth, be a good listener, give support, and |
| long remember the hard times if/when you | | | | when this is over you may have a stronger work |
| weren't "there" for them. | | | | unit than when you started. |
| If it were easy they wouldn't call it leadership. | | | | |