Gypsy Camp Blog

The current state of the economy makes it very difficult to inspire employees to perform at their peak levels. They are concerned they may lose their job, and the negative emotions keep them from performing at the peak levels needed to keep the company operating successfully.

You must help your employees discover the best course of action to stay focused on producing results for the company. My experiences have taught me that there are four areas of emotion that help people move from disabling fear to empowering action. These are:

Control Optimism Purpose Engagement

Use the following tips to help your staff move from fear to positive COPE feelings.

1. Control

The out of control feelings people have over the state of our economy is a key reason why so many people are anxious and fearful. People don’t like to be out of control. Employees can better deal with the uncertainty if their managers help them regain the feeling of control.

Although the economic problems are worrying, there is no real point in worrying about something we cannot control. By getting your employees to focus on customer service and productivity, you can allow them to regain a sense of control.

As a leader of a group of employees, you may find you need to give up a portion of your own control to give your staff a feeling of empowerment toward improving their lives. A know it all approach will do nothing but create suspicion and hostility from your staff. It is very important that you encourage them to involve themselves in the areas of the company where they can have a positive impact.

2. Optimism

History has proven time and again that good leaders use optimism as a core strategy in re-igniting faltering organization, motivating troops and even changing national policies for the better.

It’s your job as a leader to motivate your employees to keep a positive outlook and give their best performance. Studies show that hope, optimism, and other positive emotions promote the qualities your company needs to cope with the economic downturn, such as innovation and creativity. Employees who address problems with and attitude geared toward action and solution will produce the results you need for your business to be successful.

3. Purpose

When people are working on the tactical details of day-to-day operations it’s easy to become myopic and stressed about the short-term. Look for opportunities to remind employees of the greater purpose behind their work and the organization. The simple act of stating, “what you do, matters” helps to energize people and inspire action.

A leader should always lead toward a positive path forward, and also be clear as to what the goals of his employees and the company as a whole are, according to Jim Owens, Senior Vice President for North America operations of H.B. Fuller. A serious error Jim has seen many managers make is to leave the purposes they want to achieve up to the employees to translate, and giving no clear direction for how to achieve it, leaving them to attempt it on their own.

4. Engagement

One final factor in the COPE strategy is engagement. Employees who are engaged know and care about how the company is performing and its goals for the future. Engaged employees also believe their job will help to contribute to those goals in a real way.

By actively including your staff in problem solving strategies, they become engaged in the organization. If your company is facing challenges you need to solve, include the employees in the problem solving sessions. This will give them a greater sense of control, but will also bring all team members together and provide a larger pool of possible solutions for your organization!

Denver-based Sashco Sealants recently invited employees to submit cost-savings suggestions. The dozens of suggestions they received were shared in weekly “huddles” with representatives from each function and unit. Each team was encouraged to implement the ideas and then report back on results. The company is already reporting significant savings.

To conclude, the COPE model is a method in which you can lead your employees in a positive, forward thinking way as well as create a work environment committed to creativity, direction and high performance.

Wendy Mack is a professional advisor, coach, and author with a focus in leadership and change management. Contact Wendy at, or get her free e-book, Transforming Anxiety into Energy at www.WendyMack.com.

categories: team leading,change management,motivating employees,leadership,management,self improvement,career,business,executive support

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