The impact of Brexit and what leaders can do
A common theme and challenge for businesses in the UK at the moment is how to manage the winds of uncertainty. There are many factors influencing the current context for business, including low productivity growth, an intensifying competition for talent, rapid digital advances, market globalisation and the changing expectations of employees. A weighty addition to this, is the country’s pending departure from the European Union, which is serving to cast a shadow over long-term investment and recruiting decisions for many companies.
As covered in Gallup’s 2018 report on the State of the Global Workplace, just 11% of British employees are psychologically engaged in their work. This is a worrying figure and one that business leaders need to pay urgent attention to. Why?
Every disengaged employee is costing their business a 1/3rd of their salary
- Leadership and teamwork
- Pride and commitment
- Job content i.e. whether people enjoy what they do
Just thinking about the first point and what leaders can do to manage the uncertainty around Brexit. Building a climate of trust through openness and transparency is critical here. This is an ideal opportunity to have honest, forthright conversations about the potential impact of Brexit. It’s less important that leaders have all the answers than that they openly share what information they do have. Such conversations build trust and help team members share their own challenges and concerns, giving managers the chance to address and in many cases, dispel them.
As a leader, how proactively are you managing the uncertainty around Brexit and I wonder how your team might respond if they were asked this question?
About Jill Munden:
Jill is a successful Executive & Team Coach with 20 years experience working with leaders and their teams from small to large sized organisations. She is renowned for the impact she has as a coach, bringing a balance between support, focus and challenge, to ensure her clients achieve the tangible results they aspire to. With an intuitive understanding of how to get the best out of people and an enthusiastic and motivational approach, Jill inspires her clients to step out of their comfort zone and sustain long lasting change.
If you are at all curious to find out more about how Jill could help you, connect with her on LinkedIn and/or email her at jillmunden@mindreach.co.uk