We should focus on people first, and I don’t just mean employees.
Companies should focus on their business partners and suppliers, too. Challenging times provide an opportunity to build trust and show we are dedicated to their success. For example, when the stock market crashed in 2008, there was a Fortune 100 company that brought things within their business to a halt. They stopped paying their suppliers and cancelled orders even when they knew their suppliers had already begun work. Then, there was another Fortune 100 company that made it a priority to move forward with their orders and to pay suppliers in full without asking for discounts or exceptions. They may not have needed all of the inventory anymore, but they believed helping their suppliers stay in business was more important than suffering a short-term loss of their own. Relationships come first and people come first. If companies can’t show commitment to employees, partners, and suppliers when things are tough, how can those people believe that the company will be there for them when things are going well? Turbulent times allow us to demonstrate dedication to our whole team’s success and to continue building trust.
Dima Ghawi is the founder of a global talent development company with a primary mission for advancing individuals in leadership. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. In addition, she provides guidance to business executives to develop diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies and to implement a multi-year plan for advancing quality leaders from within the organization.
Reach her at DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.
