What a whirlwind year it has been! Besides unsettling macroeconomic events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, your company may have also carried out retrenchment exercises. Employee morale has been adversely affected—however, there is only so much that the HR Department can do. You are acutely aware of the need to take charge and inspire your team.

As a manager of your team, you are caught between a rock and a hard place. Business still continues as usual—with projects to deliver on and clients to attend to. Yet you can sense rumblings of fear, uncertainty and doubt within your team which may potentially jeopardise your team efforts. Here are some ways you can effectively lead your team through tough times:

1. Stay Positive

It is important for you to maintain a positive and optimistic attitude during crisis season. Your team looks up to you for leadership and guidance; if you become deflated by the challenges thrown at you, your team will similarly adopt a posture of defeat. An upbeat attitude brimming with hope is contagious. Thus, retain that sense of optimism throughout these difficult times.

2. Lead by example in a decisive manner

Successful leadership involves you taking charge and making bold moves. A clear sense of direction is akin to oxygen for your team. Address the situation at hand with clarity and confidence. Avoid procrastinating; indecisiveness is a sign of weak leadership, especially in a crisis when difficult choices must be made.

You should make strategic decisions based on the data currently available to your team—and be ready to make adjustments as the situation evolves. Constantly remind your team of how the decisions are in line with your company’s core values as well as how the work is connected to the organisational mission.

3. Communicate with your team openly

During tough times, emotions may run high. Your team may be caught in a spiral of negative thoughts and mistaken assumptions. It is your job to address the concerns your team has swiftly and empathetically. First of all, be open and transparent with your team about the challenges your company is facing—don’t assume that every team member knows what is going on.

Next, hold 1-on-1 meetings with every team member so you can fully focus on the individual who is before you. In these private meetings, ask crisis management questions that allow you to better understand their perspective. For instance, you can ask, “How do you feel about recent events and how they may impact us?”

Create a safe space whereby your team members can express their emotions and opinions without fear. Acknowledge their feelings before you proceed with enlisting their help to be part of the solution.

4. Celebrate your team’s accomplishments

It is easy for your team to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem—and feel like they are merely spinning their wheels. To counteract that feeling of not making progress, you should make a conscious effort to acknowledge their hard work. Be generous with your praise and words of appreciation.

Moreover, you can consider planning small-scale celebrations for your team at the end of a crucial project milestone. It can be as simple as going for a team dinner together at a nearby eatery. Not only will these morale-boosting activities elevate the spirits of your team, but they also help to keep productivity high.

5. Offer practical support

Beyond catering to your team’s emotional needs, you should provide practical support. If your team requires certain tools and software for their work, allocate a certain percentage of your team’s budget to acquire them. The same applies for any courses or certifications your team members may want to pursue in order to broaden their skillsets.

Such practical support you extend should also be tailored to the demographics of your team. In a survey Reeracoen conducted in partnership with Rakuten Insight Global, we found that Gen Xers place "Work-life Balance" as their top priority, as compared to the Gen Zs who prioritise income over free time. Meanwhile, millennials place equal emphasis on both "Income" and "Work-Life Balance”.

Leading in a raging storm is undoubtedly a daunting task, but you can deftly navigate your team to the shore with your effective leadership.

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