During a recent training session, we discussed how our reactions to stress cause us to use a different part of our brain. Terri Cheney,a top notch program designer, called it a "Lizard Brain" reaction.
When under stress, we hear that people go into "Fight or Flight" mode. Our reactions are actually more commonly "Freeze or Fumble" mode.
What mode are you choosing? How about your organization?
As the economy worsens, many companies and individuals act as if they are frightened. This moves us from our rational brain into our "lizard brain."
The reaction I'm seeing most often is "freeze." Listen to the language.
I was in a meeting with a multi-billion dollar, global company that is hitting significant financial goals. The people in the meeting were talking about how their company typically "freezes" spending on training and development during downturns. I've run into a number of companies who have made the decision to stop investments because of the economy. They are choosing not to advertise, stopping training initiatives, dropping sponsorships and more importantly "freezing" spending on travel, stopped investments as well as putting on a hiring freeze.
Another company, worried about the economy has been inconsistent implementing its strategies. It's almost like they have their foot on the brake and accelerator at the same time. Their lack of confidence has caused them to start messing up some of their strategies. It's like they took their eye off the ball and started to "fumble" on the execution.
These companies aren't in the fight or flight mode. These are clear examples of "freeze or fumble."
What is your company doing? Is it trying to "hunker down" for the economic woes that seem to be presenting themselves to us?
I have the great honor of working with two companies taking quite the opposite approach. They are being strategic, investing in the future while they have the chance. One of them explicitly recognizes that during the cyclical downturns in their market, they will invest in upgrades they don't have time for during the up turns. They are steps ahead of their competition when the economy gets good.
How are you approaching the current situation. Fight, flight, freeze, fumble or forward thinking?
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