Battle Worn Heroes

It’s nearing the end of a long hard year for most. I know many of my clients are facing another round of redundancies in the next few weeks and the prospect of a tough year for 2010 is looking inevitable.

I know it’s not like me to sound gloomy and really I’m not! The reality is that we are all still here and for many of us life is good. But we are having to focus and work even harder in an environment which can begin to feel like relentless pressure at times. I am seeing the effects more and more on my executive clients. They seem to fall into 2 categories – newly appointed leaders who are benefitting from the economic war which has presented them with their opportunity to shine. They are taking up post with energy and vigour, and are ready to make their mark! Then there are our ‘Battle Worn Heroes’.  Those who have been leading the front line since the war began and they are still fighting. They have all the characteristics of effective Wartime Leaders and they have used them to get their organisations through what is hopefully the worst of it.

But the news of recovery is slow for many and these battle worn heroes face another tough year. They are positive and determined, but dog tired and in need of rejuvenation.

My latest coaching clients fall into both categories. It’s very rewarding guiding the new leader through the trials and tribulations of coming into an organisation ready to flourish in recovery or still battling for survival. Sometimes, storming in full of vigour and enthusiasm can have the opposite effect to that desired on battle worn troops! The ability to read and respond to the mood and attitudes of those around you in this situation is imperative. These new leaders need to know how to motivate others on many levels.

Think about it, a typical employee may be having to do twice the amount of work with some of his/her closest friends having been made redundant. With frozen bonuses, overtime cuts and no payrise for the second year in a row it’s easy to see how motivation levels might be fluctuating.

Knowledge of how to motivate in this environment is essential and what I am focussing on teaching with many clients.

For our battle worn hero there is a need for ‘R&R’, but this might not be phsically possible. But the same effect can be achieved through taking some time to reflect, reposition and refocus oneself. This is what I am focussing on with my battle worn clients – gaining renewed personal motivation through defining new direction both personally and professionally for themselves and their organisation. Renewed energy comes from a shift of mindset and the generation of new ideas to move forward; this change can be achieved quickly with the right help.