Ten Behaviors For Success In A Business Downturn

A lot is written about what to do after losing a job, but what about the people who don't lose their jobs, but are faced with the results of business slowdowns - layoffs, reduced expectations, salary freezes, greater responsibility with fewer resources and the uncertainty of what's next?

In every economic downturn and resulting workforce reduction, the internal dynamics of organizations change. Everything takes on more importance - every behavior, mistake, judgment, comment gains importance way out of proportion to its value. Contrasts become much sharper. The meetings get longer - the demands get sharper - the expectations higher - the disappointments felt more deeply, and the blame game swings into action. It shouldn't be that way, but in most companies - even the best managed - workforce reductions brings home the feeling that it could happen to me. When that happens, survival trumps opportunity, safety trumps optimism, and a sense of humor has to be muted -unless the person with that sense of humor be seen as not serious - as not a player.

For many people in todays workforce, the depth and severity of this downturn is outside their experience. So they ask if it's time to slam the hatch shut and hunker down and wait it out, or go out and look for a job, or start a business. What other alternatives are there? What can be done to not just survive, but prosper in a downturn?

Plenty - in behaviors, attitudes and personal growth. That may not seem obvious, but the choice of how to deal with a temporary setback is a personal one. And the effect of using this stressful time as the time to develop personally and professionally adds value throughout a career.

Here are ten success behaviors that can make the difference between losing, just surviving or succeeding in economic downturns.

1 - Do the work - every day. Downturns often lead to people spending way too much time on conjecture and surmise. Avoid those people - and make sure your own behavior doesn't become counter productive. I have a friend who has a saying framed and placed right where everyone can see it. It says " Don't let the bastards wear you down."

2 - Start by valuing what you have and stop wasting time mourning the loss of what was. And recognize that the boss may have had to fight hard to keep you, and now is not the time to complain about pay, assignments, or all the other issues that people reductions create. Make sure any and all conversations are positive and understood in the way they were meant to be understood. It's easy in these times of bad news for one person's suggestion to be seen as a complaint.

3 - Keep your eyes open, your ears tuned, and your mouth shut. Deal with what is - not what you might think it is, or what motive you think was behind decisions.. Your opinions and judgments are probably (90%) wrong anyway - so why waste time on them?

4 - Help a friend that lost their job. Giving and showing concern means a lot to them and even more to you. Acting without regard to getting is tremendously liberating, and the rewards for it may be in a lifelong friendship and other rewards that can't even be imagined at this time.

5 - Update your resume. Chances are that it hasn't been touched since the last time you changed jobs. Be impressed by how far you have come from a value, skills and contribution basis. If you're not impressed with your increase in value, skills and contribution, get in gear and grow!

6 - Seek self development. Even in the worst of downturns, the opportunities to grow your skills is available. An example: Don't like to speak in public? Join Toastmasters - do it on your own time. It isn't expensive and it will increase value faster than almost anything else you can do. Same goes for working in volunteer organizations - the personal skills that can be gained from working in non profits and volunteer groups have tremendous carryover value to work. Reach out to do something you have never done and never thought to do. It's stimulating. Be sure to stay current on the trade publications for your industry and/or your areas of expertise.

7 - Be a problem solver. Ever notice how many people are always ready to identify a problem, but seem to disappear when the talk turns to solutions? The problem identifiers seem to come out of the woodwork during downturns, but the problem solvers are the ones who grow - and they are a scarce commodity. And being a valued scarce commodity in a downturn - or anytime - is definitely career advancing.

8 - Inventory what you're good at - what others say you are good at - as well as what you feel are your strengths. Then build on those strengths. In downturns it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking in terms of scarcity - of what you don't have. All that does is lead to negative thoughts about self worth and ability.

9 - Stay in touch with people who you see as successful and centers of influence - at work and in your personal life. Learn from them - become a center of influence yourself. Read Harvey Mackay's book "Dig The Well Before You're Thirsty" on the importance of building relationships - and doing it every day, not just when all hell is breaking loose.

10 - Seek out things that provide motivation and inspiration. I have a friend who listens to bagpipe music on the way to work every morning - says it pumps him up - gets him ready to hit the ground running. Avoid people and programs and situations that provoke anger and negative emotions.

Come to think of it, these ten behaviors are valuable all the time, not just in a downturn. But they do take on added importance when times are tough. Take the time - right now - to see which of these success behaviors have value for you - and which ones need some work on your part. And then make this challenging time a time of personal growth. It will prepare you for the good times that are just around the corner.