Brain Basics for Business
How to motivate your team in times of uncertainty.
The problem:
The theme this time is similar to the last post. It continues to be top of mind for everyone, it seems. So we’re adding additional tools and science-based lessons to help solve the same problem.
That problem is that all the uncertainty is causing a lot of stress and distraction. With price variations, funding changes, recession fears, and the threat of much more to come, many people are understandably worried about whether their projects, roles, or even businesses will be able to survive into next quarter or beyond.
But work still needs to get done for anyone to have a chance at short or long-term success.
How do you motivate your team when they are distracted and distressed by all this uncertainty?
What to do:
SBLI has a new piece in FastCompany out today that goes into more detail about what to do, what to avoid, and why, but here’s the core message:
Meet people where they are mentally and emotionally before you try to motivate them to go in a new direction.
If you try to motivate them without taking this step there’s a good chance it will harm trust, by making you seem like you don’t understand their plight.
With such an uncertain work environment, people have reason to worry that they or their projects or roles are in jeopardy. As a leader you must earn their trust all over again, each time the ground shifts. They need to know you get it. Show that you hear and see them. Ask questions to ensure you understand their perspectives about whatever new challenge has come up. Once they feel heard and seen, that (re)builds trust, and opens them to following you.
The science:
When people can’t control an outcome that is important to them, they care deeply about whether they can trust the process that their leaders will follow. Research shows that this happens when people feel heard and seen. If you want to read more about the research, we go into it more in the article.
No matter how much trust you may have built up, every time the landscape shifts, the people on your team need to know you get it if they are to trust you to lead.
So… how can you meet your team where they are mentally and emotionally before you try to motivate them?
