It’s natural for people to feel distracted and lose their drive amid cost-cutting, layoffs, and general uncertainty. And while eliminating every ounce of your team’s anxiety is unrealistic, you can foster an engaging and supportive environment that keeps your team on track when times are tough. Here’s how. 

* Show you can talk about hard things. There’s value in working through hard things together. Hold honest conversations about difficult topics to help build trust, especially during hard times.

* Get creative about motivating people. If promotions and raises are off the table, it can be hard to keep people engaged and incentivized to give their full effort. Ask your employees directly: What would motivate you over the next year? And how can I support you?

* Help your team stay focused. Devote more attention to one-on-one check-ins. Making more time for your people on a weekly and even daily basis will help them feel more connected.

* Watch out for burnout. Doing more with less can take a toll on you and your team, leading to overwork and exhaustion. Using paid time off and flexible scheduling can help, but it’s also important to take a broader approach by building an empathetic, psychologically safe culture that supports everyone.
This tip is adapted from “Keep Your Team on Track Amid Cost-Cutting, Layoffs, and Uncertainty,” by Rebecca Knight
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