Tips from the Trenches:
Surviving and Thriving in Turbulent Times

For many of us--even for most--these are the toughest and most nerve-wracking of times. A recent survey by the American Psychological Association indicated that financial concerns topped the list of stressors for at least 80% of those surveyed. More than half reported the most common symptoms of stress being anger, fatigue, and an inability to sleep.

As I travel globally to speak for various organizations, I hear comments like this: “People who work here are afraid to take a day off or not work long hours because they will appear to be a non-asset. This is making morale plummet and is a cycle of destruction.”

However, there is another side to the story.

I recently conducted a survey of over 200 professionals from the United States, Canada, and Europe to find out what people were doing personally and professionally to survive--or even thrive--in these turbulent times. Below is an outline. If you’d like a full copy of the 8-page report, email CGoman@CKG.com.

Personal Strategies
As expected, the highest number of strategies for thriving in tough economic times had to do with spending cuts. But those weren't the only strategies that people were employing. Here are the top three categories of tips reported.

1. Modify Spending. Respondents said that they are being cautious about spending and look more to the future when planning vacations, spending money on our house, or helping our older children. The big difference is slowing down a little when making financial decisions and watching more closely for the unexpected expenses.

2. Stay Positive. During this economic time, it is a good reminder to be thankful for the blessings you have and not to take anything for granted. Remember to focus on the positive, not the negative.

3. Renew Your Spirit. Remember that this recession is not about you. Take joy in networking--reconnecting with folks you value and making new connections. Help others make connections. Appreciate each day. Share the highlights of your day with your loved ones around the dinner table. (Invite others who are struggling to join you.) Start new habits that may change your life for the better forever.

Professional Strategies
1. Look for Ways to Add Value. I think there are a lot of career advantages in this recession, especially if you already have a job. Stepping up to the plate without being asked. Looking for ways to make improvements in processes, procedures and especially cutting expenses is a great way to show you care and you are a valuable employee. Sitting around and fading into the background is not a good idea. No one is in a position to just "hang on" to their job. Acting like and working like an owner really helps. Demonstrating how much you care and want to get things done right the first time can speak volumes. Asking yourself, what can I do better, what can I do differently, what may need to be changed or improved. Continue to be a team player. When possible see where you may be able to help out a co-worker. This could have great advantages in itself especially if you gain more knowledge about a particular topic or process or learn something completely new. Again, you are making yourself more valuable to the company by becoming even more well rounded.

2. Develop Skills. The recession may be a wake-up call for many people, pointing out to them the importance of investing in themselves and their skill sets.

3. Have a Job Search Strategy. Be prepared in the event that your job is eliminated. Devote as much time job researching, searching, applying, and networking for the job you want in the event you lose your current position. Be realistic about your skills and what you want or don’t want in a new position.

4. Network, Network, Network. It has become more important that ever to build and solidify professional and personal connections. Along the way, business relationships have been strengthened.

Communicating change, collaboration and credibility

I’m speaking on June 9 at the IABC World Conference in San Francisco, where I’m looking forward to reconnecting with some great old friends – and making some great new ones!

My session (scheduled from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) will be an overview of the challenges and opportunities for employee communication in today’s turbulent business environment. Here’s a quick look at the three key areas I’ll be addressing in “Communicating Change in Uncertain Times.”

CHANGE

A quarter of a century ago I was a therapist in private practice who had just agreed to speak to the communications department of a major bank on the "human" side of organizational change. It was my first talk to a corporate group, but from that program on, I was hooked. I became a huge fan of communicators everywhere and a passionate advocate for helping individuals and organizations thrive on change.

Organizational change efforts (still) fail more often than they succeed. And rarely because of poor strategies. Rather, it's almost always a "people" issue.

My session will begin with the lessons I have learned over the past 25 years - about people in organizations, and about what does and doesn’t work in communicating change.

COLLABORATION

Business functions operating as silos are a major hindrance to corporate performance in organizations around the world. I’ve seen firsthand what silos can do to an enterprise: The organization disintegrates into a group of isolated camps, with little incentive to collaborate, share information, or team up to pursue critical outcomes. Various groups develop impervious boundaries, neutralizing the effectiveness of people who have to interact across them. Local leaders focus on serving their individual agendas - often at the expense of the goals of the rest of the organization. The resulting internal battles over authority, finances and resources destroy productivity, and jeopardize the achievement of corporate objectives. Talented (and frustrated) employees walk out the door – or worse yet, stay and simply stop caring.

Today, more than ever, we need a unified organizational focus that only comes by breaking down silos and harnessing the power of collaboration.

In my session, we’ll a look at the communicator’s role in “silo-busting,” reducing conflict, and increasing collaboration.

CREDIBILITY

Traditional explanations of human behavior in the business world presume that employees are influenced most by meaning and reasoning.

But . . . recent studies from the Human Dynamics Group at MIT's Technology Media Lab, Xerox and Intel's research centers (and a growing volume of other evidence from psychology, neurobiology and sociology), suggest that this view is seriously flawed. The key to successful change communication may be found in understanding the kinds of signals ordinarily overlooked, especially tone of voice and body language.

In my session, we’ll look at the latest research about how credibility and trust are really communicated.

In addition, I’ll have my latest book for sale – and will offer a free management team “appraisal and training session” to the lucky winner of a drawing. (Email me for details!)

Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D., is an executive coach, management consultant, and keynote speaker who addresses association, government, and business audiences around the world. Her latest book is THE NONVERBAL ADVANTAGE – Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work. For more information, contact Carol by phone: 510-526-1727, email: CGoman@CKG.com, or through her websites: www.CKG.com and www.NonverbalAdvantage.com.