Recession Proof Your Life Part 4

This is the 4th of 5 parts in my blog series on Recession Proof Your Life.  This segment contains the final item regarding the Best Job In The World (the one you have!) and how not to lose it.  It has to do with a generally valuable and ubiquitous skill that can be used in all different areas of your life,  learning how to handle conflict (something I could have done better at in any number of jobs I have had, by the way).

Learn How to Handle Conflict - Face it, the workplace is full of people not all of whom have you on their Christmas card list. The following few points will help you emerge intact from the high tension environments of general chaos, layoffs and the always present possibilities of interpersonal warfare should they arise.  With the number of mergers already underway and more bank failures and challenges to come, there will be plenty of conflict to come as everyone scrambles to cover their own butt.  You need to be ready for it.

Damage Control - Priority number 1 is to weather the crisis without sustaining significant damage at the workplace (or to your reputation, professionally or otherwise).Unfortunately, you don’t always have the option of sitting out a serious storm. Perhaps the situation involves you — a co-worker is angling for your job and has pulled a sneaky maneuver that requires you to rally all your allied forces. Or there’s a massive shake-up at the company that has people in an uproar, with no one sure whether they’ll have a job on any given Monday and backs are being stabbed left and right.

Internal Balance – No matter what is going on, finding some internal balance is critical too. Pay extra attention to maintaining your personal life and inner calm (if you don’t have either, get some!). Many people carry workplace pain home with them and spend all their waking hours obsessing over what’s going on at the office, which makes it worse and destroys perspective.  Breathe deep and apply the 24-hour rule as often as possible (i.e., before doing something drastic, sleep on it). Send out as few emails as possible, no matter what you are saying – they live forever and cannot be taken back.

Tactical Maneuvers - Depending on how severe the situation is, self-preservation might be all that’s possible, but frequently by maintaining a level head you can look good in comparison to most others and come off as a cool-headed professional rather than as a reactionary nut case. See the drama as an opportunity not only to advance your standing but also to learn — about your company, about workplace dynamics, and about the character of the individuals with whom you work.

If you follow these next few guidelines, you’ll have a solid foundation from which to cope with any office tsunami.

• Don’t Take the Bait - Employees might be trying to get you going. For you, victory lies in not succumbing to rage or confusion. Don’t let anyone else impose his or her state of mind on you.

• Wear Your Zen - Even if you don’t feel calm inside, maintain a composed demeanor. You give less away when your surface appears unruffled, and everyone notices and appreciates dignified behavior.  If you have one, think of your “poker face” – if you don’t have one, watch the World Series of Poker and you’ll get the idea.  Learn to bluff.

• Speak With Utmost Caution - Trust no one at work completely; think of “driving defensively” as a metaphor for how you manage this tactic.   Until you’re sure of what’s happening in a given place and moment, which is very difficult during a crisis, say no more than is necessary. But don’t forget to distinguish between allies and foes; just don’t place too much trust in an ally under stress.

• Treat even those you least trust with some basic decency. Don’t ever turn your back on them, but don’t descend to the level of refusing to say good morning.  Keep in mind the words of Chinese general Sun Tzu, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.”

Strategic Planning – Position yourself in a manner that will raise your stature at the company after the firestorm is doused or burns itself out. If people in the conflict start gravitating toward you, take this role and run with it. If you can maneuver yourself into being one of the main peacemakers, you’ll emerge with a lot of political power.

If by some chance, your reputation is tarnished, you’ll find a way to restore it in the future. Remember that this isn’t a matter of life and death: it’s just a job.  If the worst happens, you can find another job. In my opinion, this is where the real opportunity begins.

You can find out about that in the final part of this series (coming soon!).