Thriving Forward: Transitioning Your Team from Survival Mode
“Sometimes I feel like everyone went off to their corners to put their heads down and get s#$% done, but forgot to come back to start working on our future”.
This feedback was given to me by a team member after a company had gone through some tough financial times. And in that moment, I knew she was right. The people were scared to act outside the lines, they lacked the space and motivation to think beyond the day-to-day. We had spent so much time just figuring out how to keep the lights on, we lost the appetite we once had to experiment, invent, and explore.
We were in a state of scarcity. 😱 A state of scarcity is NOT where the companies want to live for long. Nor is it a state where good employees intend to work for long.
In recent months, we've all been inundated with a constant stream of headlines detailing the challenging realities of layoffs, stringent budget reductions, and the art of "making do." It's exhausting, really.
Many companies have found themselves in a continuous state of “survival mode”. As things start to stabilize, I wonder how many companies out there are going through the same scenario as above…feeling like they’ve been hunkered down for so long they’re finding it hard to rebound to a state of forward movement.
So what happens after you survive the rough waters? The ability of your team to switch from survival mode to what we in the coaching biz call "thriving with abundance" can be difficult…but it’s a game-changer for company performance.
So, in this newsletter, we're going to chat about what abundance means in the context of company culture and go on a journey from that nail-biting scarcity to just enough comfort, and finally to the land of abundance. 🏞️☀️
What does abundance mean at work?
Abundance means more imagination and pie-in-the-sky ideas. Beyond that, it means having a paradigm-shifting impact on your world. - whether that's your market or society as a whole. When your team's got this abundance thing down, they're like magnets for success, attracting new business and drawing in other top talent who want in on the action. 🧲
That's why important to consider your team’s mindset when you're shaping your company culture and branding. A culture of abundance can fire people up, making them more creative and productive than ever.
Going from barely making it to living large
The Team in a State of Scarcity
Your team's in survival mode, stuck in "fight or flight" mode, worrying about what could go wrong. It's a bit of a panic zone with everyone on edge. They've got the basics covered like health and pay, but what's missing is that sense of purpose, direction, and feeling like they belong.
The Team in a State of Just Enough
Fast forward a bit, and your team is now hanging out in the "just enough" zone. Basic needs are met, and there's a sense of calm in the air. They're starting to think, "I'm feeling good, but what else can I do?" The essentials like benefits and work-life balance are sorted, but the focus is often short-term. It's a bit like having "golden handcuffs," and the only growth tends to be "up ye ol' ladder". 🪜
But here's the kicker - that sense of purpose and feeling truly secure to go beyond? Still missing.
The Team in a State of Abundance
Here's where the magic unfolds. Your team is on a mission, driven by a sense of purpose. They're all about creating and innovating. They're like a magnet, attracting opportunities and collaborators left and right. This is the phase where they're not afraid to experiment and take bold steps. 🚀
And this is where companies really get the ROI on their culture investments. 💰
Side note About Navigating the Start-Up Rollercoaster
You've probably seen startups breeze past the scarcity phase when they score some serious funding. Suddenly, they're all about growth, and they're not afraid to spend. They seem to have all the time in the world…until they don't.
Sad but true, some startups, after leaving the scarcity zone behind, get comfy in the "just enough" phase. They enjoy a bit of a break, but without that spark of continued growth, they end up in a slow decline.
So how do we kickstart your team into thriving forward and help them transition from survival mode to a state of abundance?
Clarify and Communicate Purpose: The biggest step you can take to activate the team is revisiting and refining your company's vision and purpose. Are they the same as they once were? What is the rallying cry today and is it something the team can connect with?
Foster Inclusivity and Diversity: Create an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives and voices are not only welcomed but actively sought. Diverse teams generate more innovative ideas and are the backbone of a culture of abundance.
Foster an Environment for Creativity: Allocate time and resources to encourage creative thinking and originality. Promote cross-functional collaboration to inspire fresh viewpoints.
Empower Your Intrapreneurs: Encourage employees to think like entrepreneurs within the company (yea ownership!). Support and reward their efforts to take calculated risks and initiate new projects or initiatives. Provide the autonomy and resources they need to bring their ideas to fruition.
Lead by Example: Leaders (yeah I’m talking to you again) - it’s your role to set the tone for a culture of abundance. Leaders should embody the values and behaviors they want to see in their teams, consistently demonstrating a commitment to innovation, purpose, and growth.
The journey from survival to abundance is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. It requires commitment and buckets of resiliency to foster a culture that values purpose, creativity, and innovation. By following these steps, you can help your team, and ultimately your company, thrive forward. 💪
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Want to discuss creating a culture of abundance at your company?
Contact me at marnie@vibehrc.com for an initial consultation. I offer advisory and coaching services for teams and individuals.
