Does your Leadership style change when the going gets tough?
It’s easy to be a good leader when times are good, allowing your people to make their own decisions, make their own mistakes. Good leaders encourage and applaud, they are positive and strong. They set the example they want to see throughout the organisation.
What happens when the pressure is on? Recently I observed the director of a very large organisation speak to one of his employees. After an aggressive rant he threatened him with cutting his hours if he didn’t perform better. I tackled him on it, I said I knew he was suffering from stress but was it fair to pass this burden on to his employee? He responded that in these times he couldn’t have dead weight in his organisation and people had to do their bit for his company to survive these challenging times. So the employee works a bit faster, a bit harder to save his job. Short term productivity, but what happens then when the pressure relaxes, will this employ forget the way his director spoke to him, will he feel loyalty and respect?
So what is your style when you are feeling the pressure? Do you remain strong and encouraging or do you become a little more domineering, a little more demanding, a little less open to suggestions. Do you turn inwards or do you share the burden?
Don’t let difficult times change your style, don’t lose sight of what works. Now more than ever your people need a strong, solid and positive example, now more than ever they need hope and good communication. Now more than ever good leaders need the support, encouragement and innovation of a powerful loyal and committed team.