The Most Important Time when Conviction needs to be Instilled in our People.
What happens when our people aren't quite able to see over the horizon, yet at the same time know there's no way they can go back to where they came from? These points in the history of a company are some of the more crucial and must be handled in a specific way.
There are times in a company when the purpose of a company won't give the specifics of the short-term destination of that company. At these times the road is covered with a fog like early morning in a meadow. Our people can get skittish at these times and need a little hand-holding while they're on the journey.
A couple of things can be done to keep the conviction within our people that we're taking the right path and the road will eventually become clear. That's just the need to encourage and uplift in these times of uncertainty which can create doubt and fear.
The second important thing is to remind them that we do have a core vision and purpose and that hasn't changed. These are times when roots have to be reinforced and our people reminded that we are doing things with definite purpose. It's the times when things aren't seen that faith in what is being done will be shaken the most.
Recognizing these times aren't that difficult; it's when we are in the middle of a journey. It's when were in times of transition when we can't go back but also can't see the end of where we're going forward to.
Grove said about times like these, "The demand on this mystical leadership ability to drive toward a relatively ill-defined destination - and the need to instill conviction in the group to keep going - is greatest when you're in the middle of that valley, and you know that you can't go back where you came from, but you can't really see the other side that clearly."
At times like these, we can offer up encouragement and have some fun. The most important thing I've seen in times of uncertainty though is just showing up and being there. Make the rounds. Let your people know things will be alright. Show them your unbridled confidence in them that they can do it and make it through these times.
Physical presence and walking around bantering with and being with our people can be the best medicine for times like these.
Other Andy Grove Resources:
Andy Grove's Rational Exuberance
The Digital Age . . . driven by the passion of Intel's Andrew Grove
The History and Influence of Andy Grove
Andy Grove enters new post-Intel role as activist capitalist
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