I’m going to start by admitting something that I haven’t heard many business leaders talk about publicly:
This has been one of the most difficult years for business owners.
With all the economic and political instabilities, it’s been very expensive to run a business and very stressful to work in one.
But despite everything going on, the show must go on. So how do you as a leader ensure your team stays grateful throughout this process?
While a reality check of how easy your team may have it compared to people in different countries would be a strong motivator, physically taking them abroad to instill a sense of gratitude is hardly a feasible option.
You can try reminding them that nightly DoorDash dinners, daily Starbucks runs, and complimentary Netflix accounts aren’t a given in other places, but luxury perks of working in an American company.
But if that fails, the next best thing is having the tough conversations you think you should avoid.
When your team inevitably senses that something’s wrong, they’ll start filling in the blanks. If you don’t provide clarity, they’ll default to the worst-case scenario. “Are layoffs coming? Is the business going under? Should I be updating my résumé?”
By avoiding the tough conversation, you don’t protect them; you lead them down an anxiety spiral that leads to a lack of productivity.
Instead, try transparency.
Call an All-Hands Meeting and level with them. Let them know that business has indeed been challenging — that you may be cutting back in a few areas, but that you’re committed to navigating this season with a tangible plan.
When people understand the true reality, as well as the roadmap to bettering it, they will shift from panic to purpose.
You’ll be surprised how many may rise to the occasion and offer a helping hand if you simply give them the opportunity to.
This might seem counterintuitive, since avoiding vulnerability because it makes us seem weaker is a commonly accepted falsehood in business circles. But as I’ve said over and over again, showing vulnerability is a sign of strength. It makes you a more trusted leader and one that the team has permission to engage more deeply with.
By being vulnerable, you open the door for your team to step up and contribute, not just coast.
The silver lining of these tougher times is discovering who’s really in the foxhole with you. When the going gets tough, the ones who stay and ask how they can help are the ones you’ll be able to trust for years to come.
So while tough conversations are uncomfortable and vulnerability seems scary, remember that no one has ever evolved by staying in the comfort zone.
Hard times aren’t just a test of your business. They’re a test of your leadership.
The leaders who embrace the challenge — who speak truthfully, act transparently, and call others to step up — will come out stronger on the other side.
Now’s not the time to hide. It’s time to lead.
