How do I keep my team motivated in a time of uncertainty?

How to motivate those who have seen it all…done it all and don’t want to do it again, ever…

With so much change coming at us from so many directions, we may find ourselves paralyzed by the sheer weight of negative information. We are exposed to so much, at such a fast pace, that many of us have become numb, immobile and frankly cynical about the future. Many have either adopted a “whatever”, “It is what it is…” mentality as we wait for the next shoe to drop or spin around in panic-mode.

For those of you who have survived the latest round of layoffs and are now charged with leading other weary colleagues how do you keep yourself and others motivated when it is so important in this challenging economy to be proactive?

…By implementing a motivating and guiding communication strategy

Don’t avoid the challenge of facing a difficult situation head on – You can’t overcome what you don’t confront. Don’t hide behind the desk or emails. Be visible. Go directly to those who need to know in order to provide assurance. Share your feelings. Encourage others to speak openly about their fears. This provides an opportunity to address critical issues and concerns in an open forum. Frustration and negativity is infectious. Act with a sense of urgency to nip unproductive dialogue in the bud. Don’t wait until you have ALL the answers. You never will. It is important to respond quickly with information you do know. Present a “we are all working through this together” theme.

Create and deliver a vision of the future state. Where do we hope to be as we venture through new economic territory? Paint the picture in realistic terms. Avoid over-used terminology and “kumbaya” phrases. Let your employees know there is an action plan in place and it’s in motion. Get as specific as possible. Remind them with facts and data that illustrate where we were, where we are and where we want to be once we’ve gone through this transition. Make it an informal presentation and open for questions.

Be accessible and approachable. Your door should be wide open during times of challenge. Understand that change affects everyone in different ways. Don’t be afraid to have an open, honest conversation with individuals who may not express their concerns in a group meeting.

Send consistent messages to communicate the vision. Remind your team that this transition period is an active work in progress. Create and use as many venues as possible to present clear, simple, memorable phrases and positive messages that drive home the vision.

Create a periodic newsletter that frequently focuses on positive changes within the company and provides information on how individuals can prepare for the future. The newsletter should point out related change initiatives that is/has occurred within your industry and throughout the economic community.

Create a simple phrase or phrases that effectively illustrate where you want to be – Stronger…Skilled…Innovative…Green…Community centered, etc. Use these phrases as opening or closing points in regularly scheduled meetings or briefing sessions to point out what is being done on a day-to-day basis to reach this end state. Use them as tags in your emails and meeting agendas. Create banners, posters or an enterprise-wide reward program to recognize those who walk the talk. Keep the message as visual as possible in order to perpetuate the action of movement in a more positive direction.

A positive attitude and optimism goes a long way. There is a lot of doom and gloom out there, so focus on the positive. What we can do and how we can support each other in our own personal change initiatives. For example, if you’ve communicated that we need a more skilled workforce to be competitive in the future. Discuss what training is available and how we can make time to obtain certificates and degrees.

Publicize and reward innovative, out of the box team work that help build and strengthen positive thinking alliances. Acknowledge those who are creatively solving problems that help move the department and the organization forward. Get out the pom-poms; change can be exciting!

Be the change you want to see in others. Take bold action steps. Walk the Talk. Make an extra effort to communicate with everyone at all levels. Dress for action…for success. (Even though the news from wall street may make us want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over our head, we don’t need to walk around looking as though we just rolled out of deep depression sleep). Try something new and talk about it, whether it worked or not. Just the action of attempting something new may propel others to take a risk. Network with others and freely share information. Mentor someone.

Although change and uncertainty may cause us to react unproductively or retreat, business and organizations continue to be in constant movement. So, no matter what changes come our way, we have to continue to march on in order to outpace the competition and be prepared for the next wave.

How do I build a resume that beats out the competition?

Your Resume: Illustrating Professional Growth and Achievement

Most companies are in business to make a profit through either providing better service than their competitors or making wise and calculated investment decisions. Therefore, businesses are only interested in having employees who can help them achieve these goals.

Your resume must show them that you can give them what they want.  Why else should they hire you?

A resume takes you only the first few steps toward that new job.  A poor resume can stop you dead in your tracks. It is a powerful marketing tool that introduces your skills and accomplishments to a potential employer.  It has to clearly, distinctly and single-handedly convey your strengths in order to survive the competition.  It is your road map to and through the interview and hiring process.

Your resume must speak loudly and clearly of your value as a potential employee. Resumes that are acted upon are those that demonstrate how well you can perform - one that focuses on your successes.

Businesses work by success. In other words, what have you successfully accomplished?  How did you contribute?  From entry-level to CEO, how did you impact the bottom-line?  Did you handle an overwhelming number of incoming calls, efficiently and effectively?  Did you master a computer application?  Did you turn around a troublesome department or division?

Your accomplishments differentiate you. Your accomplishments sell your potential.  Focusing on them tells the reader that you are results oriented, accomplished and a significant contributor.

Surviving the 7 Second Cut…
To survive the 7-second cut, your resume must grab the reader’s attention and tell them exactly how you can help the organization meet its bottom line.

BEFORE WRITING YOUR RESUME, ASK YOURSELF…
Hiring Managers are looking for individuals who can not only fulfill the functions of the position, but also resolve the day-to-day issues and challenges of the job to the best interest of the organization and their internal and external customers.

Before writing your resume put yourself in your potential employer’s shoes by asking yourself the following questions.  Write out your answers.  Provide detailed examples that reflect:

1. The problem(s);
2. Challenges to resolving the problem;
3. Steps taken to resolve the problem;
4. Quantifiable results

Can you provide complete and detailed examples of the different kinds of problems (i.e. people related, equipment/system related, organization related) that you solved on the job?

Can you provide complete and detailed example (problem, steps to resolve and results) of your most problematic project?

How did you turn-around a problematic project(s)?

How did the company benefit from your performance?

How did you do the job or resolve problem(s) differently and better than the person before you?

Did you introduce a new program or system?  If yes, what purpose did it serve and what were the results?

Did you save or earn money for the company?  If yes, how much? (Your answers can be in $$$ or %)

What were you most proud of at your former job?

What would your supervisors and co-workers say they would miss most about you when you leave? ( Rephrased:  What expertise do you possess that you could yourself a subject matter expert or what do you do differently than your co-workers or what do you individually contribute to a team effort?)

Have you led or work as part of a team?  (Example(s) should include how you managed that team so they worked cohesively and completed the project or how you worked as a team member)

Did you make any suggestions that streamlined a process or increased efficiency, profits, productivity, etc? (Include who and how you made this suggestion/s)

Did you sell a new concept, idea or procedure that was implemented?

Your ability to answer the above questions will help you create an accomplishment driven resume, as well as, formulate clear, concise answers during an interview.

How do I recover when things do not go as planned?

Things aren’t working out the way you planned. The results, thus far, are less spectacular than projected. You suggested this solution. You even received a few pats on the back from senior management for your novel approach to problem solving. So you took the lead and assembled a team. Initially, things looked promising. There was a bit of resistance (crossed arms; sideways glances and under-the-breath comments from a few of your colleagues), but you had solid research on your side so success was anticipated. Yet, the outcome produced no fireworks! Just deflated air and lowered eyes at the mention of your project in follow-up team meetings.

How to recover when things don’t go as planned

Pre-emptive move: Review and make adjustments
To stave off the naysayers, be open and honest with progress from the start. Let people know what is working and what is not. Fear of failure lends itself to hiding and side stepping when things just aren’t working as anticipated.

Maintain visibility and effectiveness in all other areas of your responsibilities
It’s easy to barricade yourself in your office or evaporate behind technology. Maintain visibility and effectiveness when experiencing major changes to let your team know you are actively engaged and focused on not only finding a solution to this challenge, but also in other areas.

Include your team or expand your team to find new solutions and a turnaround strategy
American Industrialist Henry Ford said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” Don’t waste time pointing fingers or blaming others. Enthusiastically engage your team in reexamining benchmark metrics and root causes, and to identify alternative approaches. Expand your team to add talent and differing perspective to the problem solving process.

Keep lines of communication open
Be a conduit of information to senior leadership and subordinates. Express your thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a clear, succinct, and compelling manner in both oral and written mediums. Adjust language to capture and maintain attention to critical issues when interest wanes. Sideline frustration by actively listening and understanding what others say throughout the process.

Recognize when to call in an outside expert
In an era of skin and bone staffing, many are called upon to become in-house “experts”. However the challenge may demand more professional and technical skills and experience. Present senior management with cost analysis of the project to highlight the benefit of utilizing outside consultants if needed.

Understand that it may take a while to rebuild confidence
Remember the oft-used phrase “You’re only as good as your last sale” or, the not oft-used but just as important, “They may not remember what they had for dinner, but they always remember the dessert”. Don’t let a disappointing outcome define you. Persistence and accountability is the key to overcoming a short fall and getting to the well-remembered dessert to gain confidence. Success is achieved by overcoming multiple attempts.

“The Chenault Group invites you to experience your professional and personal renaissance…a period of revival, reawakening and recovery.”

The renaissance period of the 14th - 17th century was labeled as a time in history where classic ideas where re-born. Artist, writers, architects, philosophers and scholars embraced and incorporated a fresh viewpoint within their creations, artistry and vocations. Innovation, creativity and the pursuit of learning and continuous improvement of existing ways of life were valued. And, despite the occasional revolution, social and political upheaval, the renaissance movement flourished.

We are currently in a remarkable period. The economy and sheer volume and velocity of dramatic change have caused individuals, organizations and corporations to pause, reflect and look for different ways to compete in the global arena. The need for creative thinking is at its greatest - a renaissance.

The Chenault Group represents a group of thought leaders that are committed to providing practical information and strategies that focuses on helping individuals and organizations successfully attain career and business objectives.

To reach our goals in this most challenging business climate, creative ideas and innovative actions are key to survival. Creativity is necessary to building a motivating and guiding climate that nurtures our workforce toward optimal performance, superior customer service, and innovative problem solving to attain extraordinary results. Innovation emerges from self-assessment and identifying areas where we can mentally, spiritually and financially profit by unleashing the potential within ourselves and others.

This website can help you manage your most valuable resources, your talent and your future. This site will evolve, move and grow as new information and emerging technologies dramatically impact human behavior and changes the way we conduct business. Through our Entre/Intra-preneurial network, blogs, articles and related resources, our goal is to connect you with vital information that will propel you to begin a new chapter in your career and your organization. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you to help you and your teams reach their ultimate goal and begin your renaissance!

Your Resume: Illustrating Professional Growth and Achievement

Most companies are in business to make a profit through either providing better service than their competitors or making wise and calculated investment decisions. Therefore, businesses are only interested in having employees who can help them achieve these goals.

Your resume must show them that you can give them what they want.  Why else should they hire you?

A resume takes you only the first few steps toward that new job.  A poor resume can stop you dead in your tracks. It is a powerful marketing tool that introduces your skills and accomplishments to a potential employer.  It has to clearly, distinctly and single-handedly convey your strengths in order to survive the competition.  It is your road map to and through the interview and hiring process.

Your resume must speak loudly and clearly of your value as a potential employee. Resumes that are acted upon are those that demonstrate how well you can perform - one that focuses on your successes.

Businesses work by success. In other words, what have you successfully accomplished?  How did you contribute?  From entry-level to CEO, how did you impact the bottom-line?  Did you handle an overwhelming number of incoming calls, efficiently and effectively?  Did you master a computer application?  Did you turn around a troublesome department or division?

Your accomplishments differentiate you. Your accomplishments sell your potential.  Focusing on them tells the reader that you are results oriented, accomplished and a significant contributor.

Surviving the 7 Second Cut…
To survive the 7-second cut, your resume must grab the reader’s attention and tell them exactly how you can help the organization meet its bottom line.

BEFORE WRITING YOUR RESUME, ASK YOURSELF…
Hiring Managers are looking for individuals who can not only fulfill the functions of the position, but also resolve the day-to-day issues and challenges of the job to the best interest of the organization and their internal and external customers.

Before writing your resume put yourself in your potential employer’s shoes by asking yourself the following questions.  Write out your answers.  Provide detailed examples that reflect:

1. The problem(s);
2. Challenges to resolving the problem;
3. Steps taken to resolve the problem;
4. Quantifiable results

Can you provide complete and detailed examples of the different kinds of problems (i.e. people related, equipment/system related, organization related) that you solved on the job?

Can you provide complete and detailed example (problem, steps to resolve and results) of your most problematic project?

How did you turn-around a problematic project(s)?

How did the company benefit from your performance?

How did you do the job or resolve problem(s) differently and better than the person before you?

Did you introduce a new program or system?  If yes, what purpose did it serve and what were the results?

Did you save or earn money for the company?  If yes, how much? (Your answers can be in $$$ or %)

What were you most proud of at your former job?

What would your supervisors and co-workers say they would miss most about you when you leave? ( Rephrased:  What expertise do you possess that you could yourself a subject matter expert or what do you do differently than your co-workers or what do you individually contribute to a team effort?)

Have you led or work as part of a team?  (Example(s) should include how you managed that team so they worked cohesively and completed the project or how you worked as a team member)

Did you make any suggestions that streamlined a process or increased efficiency, profits, productivity, etc? (Include who and how you made this suggestion/s)

Did you sell a new concept, idea or procedure that was implemented?

Your ability to answer the above questions will help you create an accomplishment driven resume, as well as, formulate clear, concise answers during an interview.