Small firm owners need everyone in their company to be a leader right now. But staff can only do that if you actively involve them in the business, says Mark Dixon, chief executive of Regus
In the last few months world leaders have led the way by working together to try and solve a recession with global impact. But such attributes aren't just the preserve of people in power.
As the UK moves deeper into recession, what does leadership and responsibility mean for small businesses? For me, it's about everyone taking responsibility for their own roles and going beyond what's expected of them.
We're entering a time when everyone in a company must do the best of his or her ability every day. A business that shares good leadership will have a fighting chance of weathering the economic storm.
Unfortunately, when financial turmoil looms, the first reaction for many is to cut costs. Small firms across the UK have had to lose members of staff who have been with them all their working lives and are friends as well as employees.
Owners of these companies have taken some tough decisions. Now it's done, the next step is to revisit the business plan for the next five years, then ensure the remaining staff are focused on work and have the leadership skills needed to make sure the company survives and thrives.
Encourage leadership by rewarding people who take the initiative and
bring positive change to the way the company operates and how it serves
its customers.
Even if a company has yet to be affected by the recession, there will be an inevitable domino effect on feelings of job security. Staff may suffer from low morale and insecurity about their own jobs or resent changes being made to reinforce the company.
If you don't want fear and tension to fester and impact on productivity, now is the time to improve communication; not just letting people know what's happening but spreading the word that everyone needs to be a good leader.
One way of doing this is to improve involvement. Don't rely on emails or the staff newsletter to get messages across but make sure that face-to-face meetings occur regularly and feedback is encouraged and acted upon.
Ideas to change the company should be introduced with sensitivity. Throwing out old ways of doing things, without involving staff in deciding what stays and what goes, will lead to a lack of confidence and a disengaged workforce.
Leading by example is a strong method of leadership. Those in senior positions must demonstrate their commitment to staff and clients and to getting the company through hard times. If you've asked staff to make as many business journeys as possible by train, for example, don't turn up for a meeting in a company car.
Encourage leadership by rewarding people who take the initiative and bring positive change to the way the company operates and how it serves its customers.
Investing in staff training and giving more people responsibility will develop your company's full potential and improve its performance. It's up to business owners to guide - to provide clear goals and visions as well as a strategic plan - rather than providing old-fashioned, autocratic leadership.
Change is inevitable as the world moves deeper into recession. Businesses need to stay on their toes, flex with every change and, most of all, encourage decisive and responsible leaders to get them through. As the world's leaders are showing, everyone has their part to play.
