Jeni Nichols

<p>Flat is the New Up<br />
I’ve been spending lots of time lately reading about the difficult economic times that we are in. I want to be informed for my business and also be able to hold up my end at cocktail parties. So I plunge on reading and absorbing as much as I can about the stimulus package, layoff stats, and sadly, personal and family tragedies. <br />
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I am reminded of the old barnyard story about the animals that contribute to a breakfast of ham and eggs with obvious varying commitment levels depending on whether you are a pig or a chicken. Having a small business with employees, I truly feel like the pig, totally committed to being breakfast--not just a chicken that can get by with laying eggs. Being fully committed means there is a dose of stress that comes with being a leader in these difficult times, and I can imagine many of you are feeling the same stress.<br />
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My usual stress management techniques of pausing and taking a deep breath is helpful but not enough to provide me with the tools I need for myself nor enough to guide my team through this disruptive era. I turn to trusted guides for helpful words of advice and I’m sharing them with you. <br />
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Adversity introduces us to ourselves.<br />
Jim Kouzes, leadership guru, co-author of The Leadership Challenge and long-time friend and business colleague, reminded me that leaders are no stranger to challenge. In fact exemplary leaders thrive on challenge and adversity (ok to take a deep breath here). One of the things that setbacks do is to cause us to come face-to-face with ourselves. Facing adversity is a rather harsh way of reminding us of what’s important, what we value, and where we want to go. He points to The Leadership Challenge video and a quote from Pete Carril, Princeton University basketball coach, “Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” <br />
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So it’s a good time to clarify what I value most. Jim says, “Take the time to reassess what’s important, where you are headed, and ‘how badly you want something.’” Remember clarification of what’s important to us comes in different forms. . . . having a loved one die, having a vivid nightmare wake you up in the middle of the night, or having your partner in life give you that look “you aren’t leaving again are you?”<br />
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Invest in Your Future<br />
In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal Dana Mattioli states that “Despite layoffs and recession-starved budgets, many employers are investing in leadership development programs, betting that strong managers will help through the recovery.” The guru of teams, Pat Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team points out that this is the perfect time to invest in the health of your team. “Now that there are fewer and fewer shiny opportunities, there is no good excuse. . . .a wise executive team will take this opportunity during slow times to build trust and behavioral cohesiveness.. . .All of this will allow the organization to emerge stronger than ever when the economy turns around, and with a meaningful advantage over competitors.” Our team is currently taking Pat’s advice and embarking on a journey of trust-building and cohesiveness using the Five Dysfunctions model. We want to be as fit as we can be when this turns around. <br />
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Keep it Simple<br />
I am amazed at the complexity of my daily work life. It’s a common complaint that we all have, dealing with the tsunami of emails, calls, messages and interruptions which can easily pull us away from the real business. I love Tom Peter’s advice in this regard. He says, “Stick to the basics, keep it simple. The devil’s in the details. When it comes to basics, cash flow and customers come near the top of most agendas.” I have an opportunity every day to take this advice so that we create the most value for the customer, in everything we do. . .or don’t do.<br />
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Yesterday while lamenting with Michael Papay, a business colleague, the dire times we are in, he tossed out a lifeline to me “Flat is the new up.” * So I throw it out to you, along with this advice from trusted colleagues Jim Kouzes, Pat Lencioni, and Tom Peters. I hope you find it helpful. <br />
*Michael Papanek of Interaction Associates is the originator of the title.<br />
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