The past several years have demonstrated uncertainty is a constant companion in business. Whether it's economic shifts, market fluctuations, or global events, businesses need to know how to navigate turbulent waters to survive in times of economic instability.
“There’s an entrepreneur right now, scared to death, making excuses, saying, ‘It’s not the right time just yet.’ There’s no such thing as a good time,” Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour, has been quoted as saying. “I started an apparel-manufacturing business in the tech-boom years. I mean, come on. Get out of your garage and go take a chance and start your business.”
Leveraging emerging technology, networking, and smart budgeting can all help a business thrive even during uncertain times. Still, perhaps the most crucial tool for organizational success in uncertain times is knowing how to maintain a high level of team engagement.
Why Focus on Your Team?
Engaged teams are more resilient, adaptable, and innovative, making them better equipped to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. When employees feel engaged and invested in their organization, they’re driven to be innovative and find sustainable solutions even in times of chaos.
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“A strong sense of camaraderie and trust can get an organization through any business slump,” explains Thomas D. Hull, Ph.D., Chief Clinical Officer of Hero Journey Club. “The more engaged your team is, the more seamless your problem-solving becomes.”
Trust among team members improves morale, mitigating the negative impact of stress and uncertainty. Below, nine business leaders provide their insights into improving group dynamics to weather turbulence more successfully.
1. Transparent Communication
Clear communication plays a crucial role in improving team engagement during periods of turbulence. When leaders provide transparent updates about the current state of affairs, potential challenges, and strategic direction, team members feel informed and included in decision-making processes.
“Transparency builds trust and confidence,” says Justin Rapoport, Co-Founder of TruHeight. “It also reduces uncertainty and anxiety among employees, which can lead to increased efficiency and productivity.”
Clear communication ensures that everyone understands their roles, responsibilities, and expectations, fostering a sense of purpose and alignment with organizational goals. Ultimately, clear communication fosters a supportive and cohesive work environment where team members feel valued, motivated, and empowered to overcome obstacles together.
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2. Provide Clarity
Clear direction reduces ambiguity and confusion, allowing employees to align their efforts toward common objectives.
“Understanding what needs to be done and why it matters is essential to give your employees a sense of purpose,” explains Maegan Griffin, Founder, CEO, and nurse practitioner at Skin Pharm, a company that provides the city of Austin Botox services. “With a solid framework in place, employees become more confident in their ability to contribute effectively.”
Clarity and clear direction provide the roadmap that guides team members through turbulent times. With clarity comes an increased ability to navigate challenges with focus, resilience, and unity.
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3. Encourage Collaboration
Encouraging collaboration is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve team dynamics. Working together fosters a sense of shared purpose, mutual support, and collective achievement that can make an organization more resilient during tough times.
“Creating opportunities for team members to work together on projects, share knowledge, and leverage each other's strengths will almost always pay off in the long run,” recommends Dominique Zimmermann, CEO and Head Designer of Bombshell Sportswear, a company that specializes in scrunch butt leggings. “Breaking down silos and encouraging cross-functional collaboration allows individuals to gain new perspectives and insights, leading to improved decision-making.”
Collaboration also builds trust and camaraderie among team members as they learn to rely on each other and appreciate the value of collective effort. Through effective collaboration, teams become more cohesive, resilient, and adaptable. These teams are then capable of overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities with unity and determination.
4. Recognize and Appreciate
There is a strong correlation between team morale and engagement. Fostering a positive work environment by recognizing employee achievements can boost morale and enthusiasm, leading to a more engaged and effective team.
“Acknowledging the achievements of your workforce, both big and small, goes a long way,” shares Brianna Bitton, Co-Founder of O Positiv. “That acknowledgment can include personalized recognition, such as verbal praise, or tangible rewards, like bonuses, incentives, or professional development opportunities.”
Recognition should be sincere, specific, and timely, highlighting the impact of the individual's contributions on team goals and organizational success. By celebrating accomplishments and expressing gratitude for hard work and dedication, leaders reinforce a culture of appreciation, motivating team members to continue striving for excellence and strengthening their commitment to the team's success.
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5. Empower Decision-Making
Empowering your team to make their own decisions requires trusting their expertise and providing them with the autonomy and support they need to get the job done. Business leaders can facilitate this by clearly defining boundaries, goals, and objectives while encouraging team members to take ownership of their work.
“Delegation can be a powerful form of empowerment,” says Maggie Brown, Founder and CEO of Recess Pickleball. “By delegating authority and responsibility, you empower individuals to exercise their judgment, creativity, and problem-solving skills.”
Autonomy increases job satisfaction and motivation while allowing team members to respond quickly to challenges and opportunities, driving innovation and adaptability. Moreover, when employees feel trusted and empowered, they are more likely to take initiative and contribute to a team’s overall success, particularly during turbulent times.
6. Foster a Growth Mindset
Encouraging continuous growth and learning in the workplace is one of the best ways to build resilience and innovation. Encourage this attitude by praising effort and resilience over innate talent, emphasizing the value of learning from mistakes, and providing opportunities for career development.
“Having an attitude of growth means that setbacks and obstacles aren’t as devastating,” states Saad Alam, CEO and Co-Founder of Hone Health. “It makes workers more open to conquering challenges, more resilient in the face of setbacks, and more willing to take risks to pursue innovation and improvement.”
This mindset shift boosts individual performance and enhances team dynamics by fostering collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Ultimately, embracing a growth mindset empowers employees to unlock their full potential, adapt to change, and thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
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7. Prioritize Well-Being
The past four years have highlighted just how important well-being is to the workforce. Promoting well-being creates happier and healthier employees while ensuring your workforce is more productive with less absenteeism.
“There are many ways to support well-being in the workplace,” Jaedon Khubani, VP of Business Development at Copper Fit, explains. “Offering flexible work arrangements, providing access to wellness programs and resources, and fostering a culture of work-life balance and self-care are all stepping stones to a strong company wellness policy.”
By encouraging regular breaks, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and offering support for stress management, leaders demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their employees. Investing in employee wellness improves morale, engagement, and retention and leads to tangible business benefits, such as increased job satisfaction and higher levels of performance.
8. Foster Connection
Strong relationships form the bedrock of an engaged and motivated team. Whether you work in person or virtually, find ways to foster connection and camaraderie among team members, such as virtual coffee breaks, team-building activities, or informal check-ins to maintain social bonds.
“Camaraderie in the workplace is absolutely essential for long-term sustainability and resilience,” states Greg Hannley, Founder and CEO of Soba Texas. “When employees enjoy where and who they work with, they’re more likely to stick around through tough times and economic slumps.”
Strong relationships strengthen team cohesion and resilience. Consider how to best foster connection in your workplace for a more sustainable business.
9. Lead by Example
Finally, leading by your own example of engagement and motivation sets the tone for everyone else. If you aren’t willing to remain motivated and focused amid uncertainty, why should your employees?
“An optimistic leader can set the tone for a workplace,” Brandon Adcock, Co-Founder and CEO of Instaflex, advises. “Demonstrate resilience and adaptability in your leadership approach, and it will have a ripple effect through the whole organization.”
Lead by example by staying composed, adaptable, and solution-oriented in the face of uncertainty. When management is engaged in the business, the rest of the organization follows suit.
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Keep Your Business Thriving
Fostering team engagement amid business uncertainty requires proactive leadership, clear communication, and a supportive culture. It may take some work to develop a truly thriving and engaged workforce, but the payoff is well worth the effort.
As Taso Du Val, co-founder and CEO of Toptal, has been quoted as saying: “Teaching your employees something new creates an instant connection, and they will respect you for it. If you show employees that they will progress intellectually in their career and economically while at your company, then they will want to work for you.”
By implementing these nine strategies, you can empower your team to thrive in flux, adapt to change, and emerge stronger than ever before. Remember, engaged teams are not just resilient; they're the driving force behind innovation and success in uncertain times.