The world is in turmoil, and we are all at the mercy of this. Economies worldwide are experiencing similar recessionary times. Companies are in a state of flux deciding the best possible navigation through this maze of constant change. While the future matters, what truly counts is how we act today. In uncertain times, decisive yet informed action can anchor performance and foster resilience. The following ten practical steps offer a performance-first response to help organisations thriving even when conditions are tough.
This is what I think.
Identify Pain Points
Before launching any improvement initiatives, pause to deeply understand where performance breaks down. Use data, feedback, and frontline input to pinpoint bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
Conduct a Performance Audit
Do not rely on assumptions. Use a structured audit to assess roles, processes, systems, and results. This diagnostic approach ensures that your performance strategy is rooted, not guesswork.
Maintain and Sustain Now
Future planning is important, but today’s stability is essential. Ensure continuity in essential operations and reinforce what is working. Building today’s foundation strengthens tomorrow’s ambitions.
Stick to Your Knitting
In turbulent times, distraction is the enemy. Focus on your organisation’s core strengths and value propositions. Now is not the time to chase shiny new initiatives unless they align directly with strategic outcomes.
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
Maintain a sharp focus on your key performance indicators. Do not let noise or crisis fatigue dilute your goals. What gets measured still gets managed, even in chaos.
Align Systems for Performance
Instead of trying to “fix people,” examine whether your systems, technology, workflows, decision rights are enabling or hindering performance. Systems thinking yields lasting solutions.
Eradicate Performance Waste
Eliminate non-value-adding activities. From unnecessary meetings to outdated reporting structures, streamline efforts so that every action contributes to impact and purpose.
Engage and Commit to People
During tough times, people need to feel safe, heard, and empowered. Engagement is not fluff, it is fuel. Provide clarity, communicate frequently, and build trust through transparency.
Assess Your Culture
Is your culture one that rewards initiative or punishes mistakes? Take an honest look. Culture is the silent driver of behaviour. Make sure it supports rather than sabotages performance.
Reward and Recognise Performance
Recognition does not need to be expensive, just authentic, and immediate. Reinforce positive behaviour in real-time. Celebrate resilience, effort, learning, and results.
Conclusion
Tough times do not last, but tough, focused organisations do. These ten steps are not theoretical; they are practical and implementable. The future will always be uncertain. But when leaders focus on performance today, they build organisations that are not just future-ready but future-making.
belia@improvid.co.za
www.improvid.co.za
+27 824585851
