Business week recently featured an article on how employees are changing due to anxiety over layoffs. Yes! This makes sense. As people, your company change staff, layoff or fire, you need to make adjustments. The point of the article was that employees were acting too much out of character, and many supervisors were complaining. Complaining that staff were always notifying them when a project was completed, or asking for more projects.

Part of the behavior change is normal ad to be expected. Most lies in the previously ineffective leadership and management styles that existed before the economic downturn. Leaders were fostering environments of poor communication, lack of creativity and not challenging the status quo.

Managing and leading from fear does not work. The short term may be a few weeks of boost. I also do not believe employees are lazy. Lazy is few and far; why not foster an atmosphere of innovation, open discussion and motivation to provide consistent growth. Innovation does come from desperation, but creativity and innovation also come from creating a growth environment.

Dr. Brian Grossman is a communication, leadership and conflict resolution expert with ten years experience in helping teams perform at their best. If you would like help in motivational strategies that stick, contact Dr. Brian for a free consultation to assess how your team can thrive.