Many executives are expressing frustration about the current economic condition and say they are operating in suvival mode.  Many of them are speaking out of a victim-type mindset.  I certainly do not question the fact that many factors within the current situation may be out of our control.  This is one reason I call it a "condition."

A condition is very different from a problem.  A problem generally has a solution which skilled executives are accustomed to addressing.  However, a condition does not usually have a solution or it is not readily apparent.  Therefore, the best we can do it to adapt or adjust to what ever condition we find ourselves in.

What adaptations are you making?  Tell us what adjustments your organization is making in response to the current economic condition?  Hopefully, you can still be proactive and think and plan more than a day at a time.  One executive with whom I spoke recently said they were managing hourly and in survival mode.

What can you do besides reduce work force numbers?  Even when that is necessary, how are you supporting those who remain?

Consider the following three recommendations that could apply to you.

1. Teach managers and workers how to cope with the stress of the situation. Yes, coping skills can be learned.
2. Equip managers to increase their effectiveness and to be a model for their team. Consider short (1 1/2 to 3 hour) tightly focused sessions to refresh them in best practices for delegating, directing, motivating and developing their staff. You can conduct these sessions yourself, in-house.
3. Now is the time to optimize personal effectiveness.  It is essential that everyone, executives, managers and workers examine their time use habit patterns and learn how to substitute poor habits with better habits.

   What is your role in assuring organizational effectiveness? 

The Top Talent Resource Center offers time-efficient tools for you to accomplish these three recommendation in a cost effective manner.  For example click here to check out The Coping and Stress Profile to address my #1 recommendation above.

Now, it's your turn. Tell us what you are up to, what is on your mind.  Post you comment here or email me: Bob@Effectiveness.com . I also return my phone messages promptly.