Tough Talk for Tough Times!

There is no denying that we're in tough times. Many managers and business owners are so stressed that they’re neglecting the basics. They’re so busy keeping the doors open that they risk losing connection with their people…and that’s bad for business!

I believe that there are five Critical Conversations that every manager or business owner must have to keep people productive and effective under recessionary stress.

1. “Keep up the good work!”
Your best performers still need attention, particularly when you are relying on them to deliver the goods in a tighter market-place. If they feel unloved and unappreciated, they may go elsewhere.

2. “I’ve noticed the improvement.”
For your staff members who are doing better than they were. Be careful not to put them off, though, with your corrections.

3. “You’ve dropped the ball.”
One of your good performers has fallen off the pace. You need to get them back up to their usual high delivery levels without creating a negative backlash from your correction.

4. “Conflict is counter-productive.”
When times are tough, as they are now, there is no spare energy for on-going conflict between individuals or teams.

5. “Shape up or ship out!”
Your team member needs to either decide to rejoin the team and change their behaviour and their results or you’ll help them make the decision that they are no longer part of the team.

So, which of these five are missing from your armoury? Which will make the biggest difference to your team's output...starting now?

Tough times don't last; tough conversations will get you through!

Personally, I'm refusing to participate in this recession! That doesn't mean that I'm pretending that there are no economic pressures around me...just that I'm choosing to get into action to overcome them, rather than let them get me down!

I believe that one of the keys to thriving in this environment is having better conversations - in business and personal relationships. In stressful times like these, we need to be in active communication with our team members and our life partners, sharing the good, the bad and the potentially ugly. If we don't, we risk the danger of people making up their own version of what's going on, or of what MIGHT happen. Almost inevitably, their imaginings are worse than any reality.

So, what kinds of conversations are you having, with the individuals and groups you work with? Are you empowering them to take positive action, or are you letting them make their own decisions - possibly bad ones? Are you consciously driving yourself and your team through the confusion that reigns at the moment, or are you crossing your fingers and hoping that it will all come out alright? Just in case you're confused, it probably won't unless YOU take some positive action!