My favourite quote is: "If you're certain, you're lost!"
Uncertainty has always existed – since the beginning of mankind and the more complex the world will get the more uncertainty there will be.
The reality is that we need both: certainty and uncertainty; we like of course certainty … you love the feeling. Ok, your life works and you go into your comfort zone.
3 ways how to cope with uncertainty:
1. Shift your focus
2. Take care of the most important person in the world : YOU
3. Communicate and Celebrate
SHIFT YOUR FOCUS
The feeling of uncertainty is often caused by things beyond your control: the economic situation, another person's actions, the pandemic.
If you think you can control these events, I guarantee you it will only lead to frustration.
Did you ever try to control the weather? You know it's impossible so stop trying to control situations and people!
If you want to cope with uncertainty: FOCUS on your positive energy and things you can control: your attitude-machine : the way you think and the way you react to things, your emotions and your actions.
May I give you some advice to boost your self-confidence? Take a moment to reflect, sit down and write down what you're good at.
For example:
- I'm good at organising things and making concrete action plans.
- I'm good at writing a clear message.
- I'm good in bringing people together and create a common bond.
That exercise will really increase / strengthen / build up your confidence and you will feel empowered.
Staying focussed gives you a sense of certainty. I'm sure you have certainly handled many problems in your past.
TAKE CARE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE WORLD : YOU
Be the best you can be!
Stay calm, rested and emotionally strong.
Exercise more, schedule time slots in your agenda / calendar to reflect about your goals, eat well and take enough rest, read positive.
When you are in great shape it has a contagious impact on your team members. Bring positive energy to your colleagues and customers, keep on smiling.
COMMUNICATE AND CELEBRATE
When people are fearful about the future they start ruminating over worst case scenarios and you know … rumours start.
So to counterbalance this, you need to communicate with transparency and authenticity.
Don't wait till you have a perfect plan to communicate because in times of uncertainty nobody has the answers!
Bring your people together … organise a 'virtual town hall' where all your team members can 'see' each other on the screen. Create a safe space where your people can express themselves. Invite them to talk about the obstacles they've overcome and the successes they have achieved!
Let them talk about their victories with customers and celebrate even small successes.
Keeping employees engaged is entirely dependent on connecting them to the teams purpose.
WHY do we exist?
WHY do we like to work here?
WHY are we doing wat we are doing?
Remember : Customers don't buy what you do! But WHY you do it.
Talk about the company's vision; tell them they belong to something greater than themselves.
Make them feel proud
PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU SAID
PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU DID
BUT PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL