Leadership in Uncertain Times - Part 1

Working with a client today on some major changes to their business, I was reminded just how tough it can be leading a business in these uncertain times. I was particularly struck by the need to balance doing the right thing by the staff and doing the right thing for the business. And yet, when you really got down to it, some tough decisions needed to be taken that would affect a few if the whole business was going to survive in very challenging trading conditions.

No matter how much bullshit us HR people can talk at times, the bottom line is that leading the business through tricky times really comes down to just a few things, done well. Today what mattered was, firstly, really telling it like it is and being as honest and open as possible with staff about the state of play and what we all need to do to keep the business going. And, perhaps most importantly, how they could help.

Secondly, taking action swiftly and decisively and trying as hard as possible to avoid death by a thousand cuts so that you can get the business back on track as efficiently as possible.

Finally, the role of gut feel and instinct. On several occasions we found ourselves discussing the alternatives but coming back to what felt 'right' in this particular business or what felt 'right' for these business owners to do. This means that, depsite the pain of taking difficult action, the business owners really believe that what they are doing is right for the business and that they way in which matters are being handled is fair by the staff who have worked so hard for them in years gone by. Overall, I think that this thinking time up front before the difficult meetings next week is time well spent and means that they have just increased the likelihood of a successful outcome.