How can Managers keep their Companies on Track in Crises?

In my last blog post, I invited you, dear readers, to take a critical look at the future viability of your company in view of the current economic recession. Perhaps – inspired by my questions – you have already been able to develop one or two ideas to better get through the challenges of the time. There is one question I would like to address today: How do you move quickly from idea generation to action?

Just do it

In the course of my executive coaching and consulting activities, I have been surprised time and again at how big the step is from recognition to action. In psychology, this is called the Knowing-Doing-Gap or Intention-Action-Gap, both terms that describe why many of our good intentions do not come to anything in the end. The best example from the personal sphere, which you probably know: New Year’s resolutions, which are usually already forgotten by the end of January.

This “implementation gap” exists not only with people, but also with companies. So what to do? In order to actually make the change, on the one hand, managers are called upon. They have to inform and convince employees, identify justified concerns and set up solid planning. Scenarios – ideally developed together with employees – can be used to vividly illustrate the planned steps.

Open Culture of Failure

Clearly defined goals and milestones and a constructive approach to mistakes are also important for all those involved. Unfortunately, this is still often lacking in Germany. But if you want to be innovative, you are entering new territory – and of course something can go wrong.

Let’s move on to your customers: They, too, should be kept up to date on what changes there are and what impact it will have on them. This is especially true when there are changes in your product range. Maybe some of them are also interested in cooperating with you in the development.

So it is worth thinking carefully about how the bridge(s) from recognition to action might be designed, what the implications are and how best to communicate about this with your various stakeholders. Again, it can be helpful to think through several solutions with their advantages and disadvantages to find the best possible way forward.

Are you currently dealing with these questions and would like a critical view as well as expert support from outside? Then please feel free to contact me or take advantage of my hybrid advisory services.