Maintain Motivation in a Troubled Organization

February 20, 2014

Maintain Motivation in a Troubled Organization

No company’s future is completely secure ! 
 When your business is facing declining sales, a potential buy-out, or even certain closure, how do you manage people who are likely panicking about their future?
 Even if it’s clear that your organization is in trouble, you can still help team members stay focused and deliver results.

(1) Be as honest as you possibly can. 
Whatever you know, share it with your employees. Don’t try to protect people from the truth or ignore what’s happening. In tough situations, people are on high alert for lies and inauthentic messages.

(2) Give your team a larger purpose. 
People want to believe their work matters in any situation. When the company’s success is no longer the goal, you might identify something that employees value personally, like leaving a legacy or proving critics wrong.


Adapted from “Managing People on a Sinking Ship” by Amy Gallo.