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Change is something we know is a constant, but what about uncertainty? Market ups and downs are what seem constant.  These uncertainties along with new regulations and shrinking revenues compound growth for the workplace. The cost of unchecked uncertainty due to the economic emotional roller coaster is a stressed workforce and a reduction of productivity. An unproductive and unhealthy workforce will ultimately impact the customer and revenues.

Here are five ways to find order over chaos:

  1. Leaders need to keep a level head: Watching a leader fly-off the handle or become paralyzed from making sound decisions is sure way to reduce productivity. Leaders must model the expectation of behaviors whether things are tough or smooth sailing.  If the expectations are that employees are calm and rationale for customers then so must leaders be regardless of what is going on around them.
  2. Fact finding: A mistake is to make key decisions based on one-sided or inaccurate information. Further, allowing destructive rumors to fester can prevent healthy working relationships to flourish. An effective strategy in taming chaos is to search for facts and widely share findings.  Setting the record straight will help dispel a destructive tide.
  3. Communicate Early and Often: Eliminating rumors is not possible. But dispelling rumors and setting the record straight is possible. Calmly communicate factual information to employees, customers, suppliers, and vendors.  Work on improving communication skills at all levels.
  4. Ventilation of Tension: Effective communication is more than just top-down communication approach. One healthy way to let steam out is to vent. Allow employees a safe way to vent their frustrations and concerns. Take note of items that you can control and follow up with the employees on your findings.
  5. Redirect nervous energy: Nervous energy can be identified by listening to the work environment. If there is a lot of buzz in the air or employees appear to be focused on negative news all of the time then nervous energy can be found.  A savvy manager can redirect that nervous energy into something constructive. By a stroke of genius they can potentially uncover an innovative notion, idea or thought that can be applied in the workplace. Gearing employees towards focusing on projects or problems that need to be solved is a good step in positively redirecting energy.     Once employees are working together to solve constructive issues the unnecessary workplace stress will begin to subside.

We would love nothing more than to count on a long term positive upswing in market activity and economic growth. However, the more certain thing we can count on is change. Are you riding the waves the change or just muddling by?

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Tresha Moreland

Tresha Moreland is a 30-year organizational effectiveness and strategic workforce planning expert. She partners with business leaders to develop workplace strategies that achieve best-in-class results. She has held key organizational leadership roles in multiple industries such as manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, and healthcare. Tresha is the founder and principal consultant of HR C-Suite, LLC (www.hrcsuite.com). HR C-Suite is a results-based HR strategy resource dedicated to connecting HR with business results. She has received a master’s degree in human resource management (MS) and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). She has also earned a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Six Sigma Black Belt Professional (SSBBP) Certification. She is also recognized as a Fellow with the American College Healthcare Executives with a FACHE designation.

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