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Success!Ezine
Volume 6 Issue 2 -- February 2009
DrCarolWebster.com
Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved
Success!Ezine
is a Free newsletter provided to you by
Dr. E. Carol Webster to help you get ahead in life
and enjoy your success.
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E. Carol Webster, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and
speaker in
consulting practice in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Feel free to call or
e-mail for more information.
Dr. Webster is author of
Success Management: How to Get to the Top and Keep
Your Sanity Once You Get There and The
Fear of Success: Stop It From Stopping You! |
Feature Article
Talk Straight During Uncertain Times
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2009
Just when you think things couldn’t get worse in the job market, they
get worse. Your employees are on edge and those who don’t cope as well
as others are likely to show it in obvious ways these days. They all
want to know what’s going to happen tomorrow – in particular, whether
they’ll still have a job. They look to you for reassurance and comfort.
But it does not serve them well for you to give a false sense of
security.
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Tell
It Like It Is |
If your company is struggling like so many others, be straight about this.
Sure, your staff can see the layoffs. They know that supplies have been cut
to the bone. But denial is a hearty psychological defense and enables many
to calm their worry by concluding that it won’t happen to them.
Hearing from you the reality that more cutbacks are probably coming, that
you have no way of knowing how long even you will have a job, will
help to break through some of that denial. The point is not to bludgeon your
employees and make them depressed, but to nudge them to make fall-back plans
so that they don’t suffer as deeply if they are the next to go.
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Help Staff Plan for the Worst
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Planning ahead is the best coping strategy for your staff during uncertain
times, so do all you can to help them. This is a good time for brown bag
lunch seminars about money management – while they still have some money to
work with. It’s a good time for talk about effective stress management --
or, these days, fear management. Talking openly about what they
would do if their hours were cut back or if they were laid off encourages
them to dust off their resume and to re-engage in professional associations
and activities to do some networking “just in case”.
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Wish Those Who Leave Well
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While, of course, you don’t want your best people to quit even though you
can’t promise them security, it’s important to communicate that you care
about them as individuals and do understand if getting a “safe” job
elsewhere is in their best interests. Though everyone knows that jobs are
hard to find right now, some do prevail and leave you behind. Wish them well
and invite them to keep in touch. Those who were your best workers may now
become valuable allies and advocates of your company in the community or may
assist you in other ways. Be happy for them.
Uncertain times require straight talk. People need to know exactly where
they stand so that they can maintain as much order and control in their
lives as possible. Do all you can to help them plan ahead.
About the Author:
Dr. E. Carol Webster is a clinical psychologist and speaker in consulting
practice in Fort Lauderdale, FL and is author of
Success Management: How to
Get to the Top and Keep Your Sanity Once You Get There
and The Fear of Success: Stop
It From Stopping You!
|
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Ask Dr. Webster...
Dear Dr. Webster: I have a great employee that I want to tap for
our leadership program, but she has a terrible habit of smiling all the
time, even when she’s delivering bad news. This keeps people from taking her
seriously so I’m afraid she might not survive the program. Any suggestions?
-- Not Smiling
Dear Not Smiling: Though this behavior is often simply a symptom of
nervousness, sometimes it’s a problem that plagues women in particular. Many
were raised as girls to “look cute and always wear a smile” so it can be a
habit that is hard to break. They were taught that smiling increases their
attractiveness and will help endear them to others. The often unspoken
message was that if you beam broadly, you won’t come across as a threat to
anyone. But you’re right to be concerned about whether your high potential
will be taken seriously in the leadership program. Prior to entering, she
needs to understand that this constant smiling is inappropriate. Since you
have a good relationship with her, I recommend that you help sensitize her
to when she’s doing it by saying: “We’re discussing a very serious subject
here but I notice that you’re smiling. I would like you to present this bad
news to the staff, but they may feel that you are insensitive if you’re
smiling.” This type of coaching can prove very helpful, but if you discern
that much more time and effort is required, I suggest you requisition a
formal coach for her. Along with the smiling, there are likely to be other
mannerisms and behavior that are exhibited to decrease her risk of “threat”
that would undermine her authority and effectiveness as a leader.
--Dr. Webster
Got a Question?
Ask Dr. Webster
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Success Motivator
When I see trouble coming, I go on up ahead to meet it.
-- Vernice Johnson Reagon
Success Tip
Five Dangerous Faults
...There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: (1)
Recklessness, which leads to destruction; (2) cowardice which leads to
capture; (3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; (4) a
delicacy of honour which is sensitive to shame; (5) over-solicitude for his
men, which exposes him to worry and trouble…
From the book:
The Art of War
by Sun Tzu
Fine Creative Media, NY, 2003
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Missed
An Issue?
Here's another chance to read up on topics of interest: |
|
ISSUE |
FEATURE
ARTICLE |
|
January 2009 |
Career Contentment |
|
December 2008 |
Holiday Networking |
|
November 2008 |
Empathic Leadership |
|
October 2008 |
Job Transitions Are Taxing |
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September 2008 |
Constant Complainer? |
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August 2008 |
Making Dreams Happen |
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July 2008 |
Pinched By the Economic Squeeze? |
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June 2008 |
Emotional Control |
|
May 2008 |
Optimism |
|
April 2008 |
Loss of Stature |
|
March
2008 |
Are You A Bully Boss? |
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February 2008 |
Overconfidence |
|
January 2008 |
Excite Enthusiasm |
|
2007 Issues |
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2006 Issues |
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2005 Issues |
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2004 Issues |
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2003 Issues |
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Success!Ezine
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology Consulting
DrCarolWebster.com
954.797.9766
Ezine@DrCarolWebster.com
Disclaimer: The information in this
newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a
substitute for obtaining direct professional help. |
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