How to Manage During a Crisis?
13 June 2014
Read by 4113 persons
Nobody likes crises, and yet it is thanks to them that we grow! The economist Jean Monnet said: "People only accept change out of necessity, and they only see necessity in a crisis."
When a crisis occurs in a company, whether due to internal or external causes, it requires adapted management from the company's management.
Here are some simple but important management tips to apply during difficult times.
1 - Look for opportunities that the crisis situation offers you
When the company is going through a difficult time, it is an opportunity to ask yourself how this period can become an opportunity for the company and how it (and its teams) can progress thanks to this situation.
Analyze the situation, study the possibilities available to your company, set the objectives to be achieved and the steps to achieve these objectives: the project and the leadership of the management will motivate and unite the teams around the same goal.
2 - Communicate, inform and reassure
In times of crisis, rumors abound, employees become tense, the most innocuous actions can be subject to interpretation... it is therefore essential to take the reins of communication.
A team under pressure needs a quantitative and qualitative improvement in management to feel reassured and involved in the action.
3 - Refocus on values and the team project
Times of crisis are conducive to strengthening ties, it is an opportunity to unite all personnel around a crisis exit project that will promote the company's values.
It is in adversity that a leader shows what he is worth and it is for all the personnel the moment to show who we really are and what we have in us.
4 - "Speak the truth"
During a crisis, opinions are more sharply divided, debates are more passionate, and tempers are more easily frayed than in normal times. It is essential that management "speaks the truth".
We all know that not everything can be said, that's not the point, what is important is that what is said is true and motivates the teams to continue.
5 - Prioritize human relationships
The human factor is the key element of any company and it is thanks to the involvement of people that objectives are achieved and this, without the conditions for success necessarily being present.
To achieve results, prioritize management and people and put relationships before activity and results. This is what Jim Collins tells us in his book "From Good to Great", highlighting that the world's most successful companies achieve exceptional results by putting people and relationships before activity and results...!
6 - Give energy to your teams...
In difficult times we tend to be gloomy which makes things more difficult than they already are.
It is through an attitude (determined, dynamic, smiling,...), a speech (voluntary, positive, reassuring,...) and a vision (constructive, opening perspectives, talking about the long term,...) that you will succeed in communicating to your team a "positive energy" or a desire to fight.
7 - Continue to trust your teams
It is when things are complicated that the manager must delegate and show the confidence he has in his team.
By trusting the teams, you free your employees by allowing them to put their skills at the service of the company. But be careful, trust does not exclude control, delegating without controlling is equivalent to relieving yourself of your responsibilities, especially in times of crisis!
8 - Take care of yourself...
Some people say that stress can be beneficial, that it stimulates and helps to innovate. While this may be true in the short term, it is rarely the case in the medium and long term. On the contrary, you must work on yourself to be able to analyze, take a step back and act effectively.
Reserve special moments to relax and think about something else. Play sports, spend time with family or friends,... in short, it is necessary to recharge your batteries, otherwise, how can you give energy to your teams if you are drained?
Philippe Montant
CEO of ReKrute
When a crisis occurs in a company, whether due to internal or external causes, it requires adapted management from the company's management.
Here are some simple but important management tips to apply during difficult times.
1 - Look for opportunities that the crisis situation offers you
When the company is going through a difficult time, it is an opportunity to ask yourself how this period can become an opportunity for the company and how it (and its teams) can progress thanks to this situation.
Analyze the situation, study the possibilities available to your company, set the objectives to be achieved and the steps to achieve these objectives: the project and the leadership of the management will motivate and unite the teams around the same goal.
2 - Communicate, inform and reassure
In times of crisis, rumors abound, employees become tense, the most innocuous actions can be subject to interpretation... it is therefore essential to take the reins of communication.
A team under pressure needs a quantitative and qualitative improvement in management to feel reassured and involved in the action.
3 - Refocus on values and the team project
Times of crisis are conducive to strengthening ties, it is an opportunity to unite all personnel around a crisis exit project that will promote the company's values.
It is in adversity that a leader shows what he is worth and it is for all the personnel the moment to show who we really are and what we have in us.
4 - "Speak the truth"
During a crisis, opinions are more sharply divided, debates are more passionate, and tempers are more easily frayed than in normal times. It is essential that management "speaks the truth".
We all know that not everything can be said, that's not the point, what is important is that what is said is true and motivates the teams to continue.
5 - Prioritize human relationships
The human factor is the key element of any company and it is thanks to the involvement of people that objectives are achieved and this, without the conditions for success necessarily being present.
To achieve results, prioritize management and people and put relationships before activity and results. This is what Jim Collins tells us in his book "From Good to Great", highlighting that the world's most successful companies achieve exceptional results by putting people and relationships before activity and results...!
6 - Give energy to your teams...
In difficult times we tend to be gloomy which makes things more difficult than they already are.
It is through an attitude (determined, dynamic, smiling,...), a speech (voluntary, positive, reassuring,...) and a vision (constructive, opening perspectives, talking about the long term,...) that you will succeed in communicating to your team a "positive energy" or a desire to fight.
7 - Continue to trust your teams
It is when things are complicated that the manager must delegate and show the confidence he has in his team.
By trusting the teams, you free your employees by allowing them to put their skills at the service of the company. But be careful, trust does not exclude control, delegating without controlling is equivalent to relieving yourself of your responsibilities, especially in times of crisis!
8 - Take care of yourself...
Some people say that stress can be beneficial, that it stimulates and helps to innovate. While this may be true in the short term, it is rarely the case in the medium and long term. On the contrary, you must work on yourself to be able to analyze, take a step back and act effectively.
Reserve special moments to relax and think about something else. Play sports, spend time with family or friends,... in short, it is necessary to recharge your batteries, otherwise, how can you give energy to your teams if you are drained?
Philippe Montant
CEO of ReKrute
