How to Remove Fear and Uncertainty in the Workplace – by Arnie Wohlgemut
I was recently ask how do I as a leader go about removing the fear and uncertainty that cripple progress.
The short answer: A leader is responsible to create the environment and circumstances to get the desired results.
Fear should never be the desired result, and uncertainties don’t need to be created. They are naturally found in workplaces and businesses.
In many cases, fear and uncertainty are found together. With that in mind, I will share some advice on how to remove the fear and uncertainties through your actions.
Fear is a feeling.
A leader cannot remove fear from within a person. That is something only they can address with the help of coaching or counselling. Leaders can address the environment and circumstances that may create feelings of fear.
For some individuals, fear is a paralyzer. When a leader is inconsistent, it can paralyze an entire team. Here are a few areas where a leader should be consistent:
1. Be the same ‘person’ everyday. One organization I worked with had this situation. I discovered that every morning members of the supervisory team would first stop at the receptionist and ask – “what mood is he in today?” This uncertainty had them walking on eggshells and afraid to take action or ask for help. This type of stress is never good, nor does it feel good to be around.
“Like a contagion, stress spreads. We literally catch the stress of others.”
Kristi Hedges
I understand that we all face issues daily and these can impact each of us differently. However, being mean and short with your team one day, and superficially nice the next, puts people on edge.
2. Walk the talk. If you value the skill, experiences, or creativity that an individual brings to your team, don’t micromanage. If you value your family time, you should respect the family time of your individual team members also. If you value personal growth, support development of competence and confidence of individual team members.
“Our values support our beliefs and our experiences shape our choices. When we know and understand our values, we can make conscious choices.”
Edmée Schalkx
Uncertainty is a state of being.
A leader can address workplace uncertainties by creating a safe environment where an individual can flourish. It involves clear communication and ongoing conversations. Here are only a few ideas where your consistency will be of value to your team:
“The best kind of company culture is one where negative feedback is seen as something positive. In order to achieve this, the business needs to cultivate a supportive environment where people are encouraged and helped to learn.”
Bernard Marr
1. Clear communication about expectations. Expectations should be empowering and inspiring! They should encourage performance improvements and growth and not be a maximum performance standard to be met. In addition, do not have fluid expectations. Continuously changing expectations can create an environment of uncertainty.
2. Ongoing conversation about vision and direction. This should not be a one-sided conversation nor is it a one-time conversation. Lack of clarity on where the business is going among your key team members can create uncertainty, especially when it is not understood. Talk about it – often. A nicely framed, carefully crafted mission and vision statement hanging in the office is seldom understood.
“Transparency and authenticity are best demonstrated when our head, heart and feet are all going in the same direction for your staff or your clients to see”
Arnie Wohlgemut
3. Do not accept mediocrity. It may be uncomfortable to offer critical feedback but when it’s delivered constructively, it’s invaluable. Being clear about why particular tasks need to be done, and the impact if not completed, is a vital conversation. Your consistent approach and response to mediocrity will go a long way to remove uncertainties.
One of the principles on which I build my career on, is being a consistent leader.
Remember, most people don’t leave jobs. They leave bosses. I encourage you to become a consistent leader.
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