The upside of the downturn (careers and the recession)

Citation

Colvin, G. (2009), "The upside of the downturn (careers and the recession)", Strategic Direction, Vol. 25 No. 11. https://doi.org/10.1108/sd.2009.05625kad.006

The upside of the downturn (careers and the recession)

Article Type: Abstracts From: Strategic Direction, Volume 25, Issue 11

Colvin G. Fortune (Switzerland), 8 June 2009, Vol. 159 No. 11, Start page: 35 No. of pages: 4

Purpose – Makes the case for how a recession can help develop leadership qualities. Design/methodology/approach – Illustrating with the example of Hewlett and Packard, spotlights how a recession can have unexpected beneficial consequences. Suggests that a recession can test people and spur them in ways that develop their skills, aptitudes and leadership qualities. Identifies a number of steps that contribute to a leader’s growth and which can contribute to leadership performance at times of extreme stress. Puts forward how mangers should be seen early and often, act fast, show fearlessness and tell a story that puts the crisis in context. Provides five practices that companies should adopt in a recession including, among others, mining employees for ideas and improving employee evaluations. Originality/value – Features four steps for stretching managers “beyond their comfort zone”. Article type: Viewpoint ISSN: 0738-5587 Reference: 38AP586

Keywords: Leadership, Management development, Performance management, Recession, Strategic management