Although workers can't control the economic downturn, they can try to keep a positive attitude and play a part in the optimistic influence needed to maintain a company's success.
Peter Barron Stark -- author of the forthcoming book, "Engaged: How Leaders Build Organizations Where Employees Love to Come to Work" -- recommends that workers attempt to envision what can be controlled in the office: the results from assignments, work relationships, etc.
"Remain positive and take actions to demonstrate your value," says Stark.
Stark provides tips for workers to remain valuable during the recession:
-- Take an encouraging approach. Stay positive and focus on trying your best. Don't let a negative environment bring you down.
-- Communicate on a regular basis with your supervisors. Managers usually discuss less with employees during a recession; they lack all the answers and are afraid to talk about possible layoffs. Build a relationship with supervisors by asking questions, sharing updates, providing ideas for problems and requesting feedback.
-- Continue to learn. Take on more responsibilities and be willing to increase your knowledge of the company. Become more valuable by being more broad in terms of workload and duties. You aren't limited to one specific area of the business.
-- Try the team player approach. Offer options for issues caused by the layoffs. Get creative and attempt to tackle the challenge.
-- Explain new roles for remaining workers. A clear explanation of current duties and expectations is needed.
-- Make new relationships. If you lose a friend in the layoffs, it provides the chance to meet new team members. Gain more friends to possibly help with a promotion or develop a new skill.
-- Demonstrate how you add to the bottom line. Develop a connection between the company's results and how you play a part in adding to the revenue or cutting the costs.
-- Keep internal and external clients happy. Make sure you are trying to create positive relationships with customers; go beyond their expectations.
-- Remain grateful. Concentrate on what you have learned and be thankful. Grateful employees are easier to work with.
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