Thriving in Growth Mode: The Leadership Skills you Need When the Market is Tough
In the face of shifting market conditions, supply chain challenges, labor constraints & other challenging external factors, organizations in “growth mode” are feeling the burn. Tight budgets, reductions in force, a push for productivity, & increasing automation are just a few of the factors they must navigate. At The Perk, we believe that effective leadership is the key to not just surviving but absolutely thriving in these conditions. Here’s how the leadership skills we teach can help organizations excel during times where they are asked to do more with less.
Genuine Curiosity: The Foundation of Innovation
A team's agility & innovation are critical in these circumstances, & leaders who approach problems with genuine curiosity unlock new possibilities. They aren’t bound to how they’ve always done things, & they know that safety does not guarantee business survival. Curiosity drives leaders to ask questions, seek diverse perspectives, & explore unconventional solutions. By fostering a culture of curiosity, organizations can discover new ways to streamline processes, cut costs, & enhance productivity without compromising quality.
Want to practice a curiosity mindset?!
Download our Curiosity Guide here!Deep Listening: Building Trust & Collaboration
In growth mode, effective communication is critical. Deep listening—truly hearing & understanding the concerns, ideas, & feedback of team members—builds trust & fosters collaboration. Leaders who listen deeply create an environment where employees feel valued & heard, which can lead to higher morale & more innovative ideas. This level of engagement is essential for navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing market.
Check out these tips for listening as a leader rather than a problem solver.
Setting & Communicating Clear, High Expectations
Clarity is key when resources are limited, & every action counts. Leaders must set & communicate clear, high expectations to ensure that everyone understands their role & the standards they must meet. This alignment helps teams focus on what truly matters, eliminating wasted effort & maximizing efficiency. When expectations are transparent & challenging yet achievable, employees are more likely to stay engaged, motivated, & productive.
Start with being clear about how you communicate with each other!
Giving Constructive Feedback: The Path to Continuous Improvement
Constructive feedback is a powerful tool for growth. In an environment where agility is essential, leaders must provide timely, specific, & actionable feedback to help team members improve continuously. Constructive feedback not only addresses current performance issues but also encourages employees to develop new skills & adapt to changing demands, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Check out our webinar on using feedback to empower your teams.
Embracing Innovative Ideas with Yes, AND
Innovation thrives in a culture where new ideas are welcomed & diversity is celebrated. Leaders who adopt an improv mindset—embracing “yes, and” rather than “no, but”—encourage creativity & collaboration. Inclusivity ensures that a wide range of perspectives are considered, leading to more robust solutions. By valuing every team member’s input & creating an environment where experimentation is safe, organizations can discover innovative ways to do more with less.
So how can you use this Yes, AND mindset?
When your team comes to you with ideas, pause. Don’t start with pointing out the reasons it might not work or the things that need to be edited about the idea.
Look for the 10% of the idea that has some redeeming quality. Acknowledge what you appreciate about the idea. For example, perhaps you can’t say yes to hiring a new employee onto the team, but you see benefit in the idea of evaluating whether the person doing the task is the right person to do it.
Use this 10% as a jumping off point to brainstorm & co-create with your team member. (e.g. “What I like about that idea is being strategic about how we assign that task & ensuring we assign it to the right person, AND what if we look to see where it would less burdensome from within our existing team?”)
Iterate on that concept until you’ve found something that works well while also helping your team feel that their idea was heard & considered.
Showing Personalized, Meaningful Recognition
Recognition is a powerful motivator, especially in times of constraint. Personalized, meaningful recognition shows employees that their contributions are valued & appreciated. Leaders who take the time to understand what motivates each team member & tailor their recognition accordingly can boost morale, increase engagement, & inspire higher levels of productivity. In growth mode, every bit of extra effort counts, & recognition can drive that extra mile.
Navigating growth mode is no small feat, but with the right leadership skills, organizations can not only meet the challenge but also seize the opportunities it presents. By cultivating genuine curiosity, deep listening, clear expectations, constructive feedback, a Yes, AND mindset, & personalized recognition, leaders can create agile, efficient, & highly productive teams.
Interested in teaching these skills to your leaders? Click here to learn more about our CLEAR Leadership Operating System!
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