How to Lead Your Team Through Tough Times; From One Leader to Many of You 
Published: 2021-02-16 07:55:45

Building a business from the ground-up and then running it successfully isn't as easy, rosy, or lucrative with yearly revenue of millions as it may seem from the exterior. Much like the backend of a software solution, the backstory to any business is complex and includes hard works, failures, setbacks, and a complete shutdown in the worst-case scenario. 
 
Unfortunately, the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmlnovel">novel virus COVID-19</a> virus COVID-19 hasn't made it easier for businesses to continue with the same, if not more, success and consistency. Many companies failed to cope with challenging situations and even had to downsize, which directly affected many livelihoods. For others, their employees had to suffer massive pay cuts due to reduced sales and revenue. Overall, the situation of countless businesses and economies as a whole took an enormous hit. 
 
Now, as bleak and unfortunate as the current circumstances seem, it makes it hard to see the positives or the possibility of maybe redeeming your business's lost glory against all odds. Apart from the hopelessness, one of the significant factors contributing to a business's downfall is the teams' low or decreasing morale. This is why leaders play a crucial role in having the shoulders to carry the company and the emotional intelligence to keep the employees moving with the same motivation and zeal. 
 
I have accumulated more than 35 years of senior executive experience being a successful marketing guru; I believe being the right leader is of utmost importance. I have taken on various leadership positions, and I will not shy away from declaring that I have had my share of difficulties under such roles. However, they only proved to be a lesson that I keep with me to this day. Today I am working as a CEO of a life sciences consulting NYC that goes by the name 'Nieuw Amsterdam Advisors' and leading teams that include some smartest and brightest minds. 
 
The purpose of my introduction was to share my experiences of how to handle tricky situations that your company or your team(s) must be facing without having to break yours or anyone's back (read: taking losses). Of course, this isn't written in stone and highly depends on the circumstances. However, leaders who are trying their best to lift their organization's processes with minimum damage can take a few tips to help them along the way. 
 
Communicate with Your Team – Clearly and Concisely  
I cannot stress enough on carrying out clear and concise communication with everyone in your life in general. During the crisis, the need to leave zero room for miscommunication or misunderstanding is of utmost importance. Besides, hiding crucial details in your employees' best interest will do you, them, and your organization much more damage than any good you may have considered.
 
Think about it this way. You are a CEO and have run into severe crisis and decide to share your concerns with your teams – you get them on board with the company struggles and start speaking about the solutions that can save the place they have invested so much of their career. Your honesty will also help the ones that can find a better or secure opportunity and start working towards finding an alternative if your organization fails to be saved. Either way, as a leader, it is your duty to stay honest about the organization's roadblocks. 
 
Before breaking the news, you should have all the plans in sight, prepared, and ready to be announced as a leader. No one appreciates a leader who hasn't thought about the situation and waves the white flag of defeat. 
 
So, make sure you can brief your teams over the following. 

· What is happening and has already happened 
· What decisions have been taken 
· What is the plan taking this forward 
 
Since you want your employees to have faith in you and trust your leadership, it is best to communicate confidently and in a positive demeanor. 
 
Learn from Your Mistakes – It Is Forward and Onwards 
Please do not shy away from failures is another piece of advice that I will emphasize. Because once you start showing cracks within yourself, that is when your employees begin to panic as well, eventually losing hope within your organization. 
 
The best thing you can do is learn from the missteps, the faults, the misjudgments, the external issues that were not in your control. Use every opportunity, whether bad or good, as a learning opportunity to improve further. 
 
Another critical piece of advice that I will share with you is never to point fingers at your employees. Remember that you all are one unit, and playing the blame game as a leader is a sign of a weak person – let alone a leader. Invite everyone for a table talk and ask for their opinions, ideas, and solutions. You never know what great ideas you all might end up coming with that would not only save your organization from possible bankruptcy but end up producing much better results than before. 
 
Cheer on and Celebrate Each Win – Small and Big 
In times of crisis, the best we can do together as a team is to celebrate and appreciate the smallest wins. Not only will this keep the morale of your employees at an all-time high but also maintain a certain level of hope. 
 
There is a reason that 'emotional intelligence' is a special quality within leaders that is unfortunately hard to come by these days. If you feel that the pressure of working hard to push past the struggles is taking a toll on someone, then make sure you are accommodating them accordingly and helping them in the best way you can as a leader. 
 
Since we are speaking about handling the tricky situations that your business may be facing and the fact that to remedy that, you may have devised an elaborate plan that requires your employees to place their best foot forward – I would advise you to break down those goals into smaller ones, so they don't seem overwhelming. Not only are they less intimidating, but you can easily track the progress, the milestones achieved, and other metrics closely. 
 
Hopefully this would list would have allowed to help you assess the situation of your organization’s circumstances better, but also, have a talk with yourself as well helping you emerge as a powerful leader. 



Author Bio:
<a href="https://www.nieuwamsterdamadvisors.com/william-patrick-slattery-team/">William Patrick Slattery</a> is the President and CEO of Nieuw Amsterdam Advisors, a life sciences consulting firm. He is regarded as one of the top marketing experts in the Life Sciences industry noted for combining a calm demeanor with a shrewd negotiation skill set that allows for navigating the most challenging business environments on behalf of his client firms.