Insights on Recovering From "Recessionism" from Vistage
(September 4, 2009) The current global recession is unique in terms of its depth, breadth and length. As the recession wears on, it's wearing out our business leaders. The fatigue that's setting in among leaders is reducing their passion towards the organization and the business. It's a silent problem of immense proportions. Executive coaching organization Vistage International teamed with Vistage Chair Rod Johnson, author of "Without Warning," to share five easy tips for business leaders on how to revive their passion for leadership.
#1 Create Movement
Position your staff to handle future challenges and opportunities by delegating responsibilities and creating movement at every level of the organization. Business leaders often become consumed with day-to-day decisions. It's time to resume your role as a leader by reconnecting with customers and solving problems.
#2 Find Focus
Organizations that have downsized are prone to a loss of focus because they have too many tasks to complete with too few resources. Leaders must find their personal focus and guide their employees in rediscovering their focus. Don't embrace or tolerate chaos, instead stay focused on what's truly important.
#3 Regain Trust
Many leaders have lost the trust of their employees and other stakeholders. Some have even lost confidence in their own abilities to lead. To reestablish trust, start by making sound decisions and creating clarity around why those decisions are important to you and your stakeholders. Provide your employees with a solid reason as to why you're in the best position to actively lead the organization through economic turmoil and into the future.
#4 Communicate Openly
In many organizations rumors and hearsay have become the inside truth. Leaders must regain the communication channel by speaking and communicating to employees with honesty and authority. Increase the frequency, urgency, and importance of your messages.
#5 Embrace Anxiety
Rather than becoming crippled by it, use anxiety as a tool. Accept and embrace anxious moments. Use them as a challenge or opportunity to grow as a leader and to position your business for increased revenues.
The length of this recession has created the potential for chief executives to lose passion for their position of leadership. The path out of the woods isn't simple, but it's achievable through increasing awareness and action.
about Vistage International Vistage is a CEO peer organization in 15 countries with nearly 14,500 members. The Vistage model brings groups of CEOs from non-competing industries together monthly to hear expert resource speakers and process key business and personal issues through peer-to-peer discussions. Additionally, Vistage CEO members receive monthly one-to-one coaching from a mentor called a Vistage Chair. The sharing of information in a Vistage group is completely confidential, allowing for the open exchange of problems, ideas and solutions.
Contacts
Vistage International
Lois Arbogast, 858-509-5861
lois.arbogast @ vistage.com