It's difficult to maintain your confidence when everything around you in the news business is in question.
A good leader can show you how to navigate change. As
Jill Geisler advises, good leaders communicate, are honest, admit their own mistakes, hire great people and evangelize.
But what can you do to sustain
yourself in this environment of uncertainty?
Be confident. In today's volatile environment, confidence is your best friend when job hunting, and it is your support system when you are working. Confidence shows a healthy ego, helping you face the daily challenges of working in this industry.
Define yourself by your values. Aly Colon, a former Poynter faculty member, inspired me often with his discussion on this: "Let our values define us, not our jobs. When values define us, we can hold solid ground in spite of turmoil. Without strong values, our job becomes who we are, and the insecurity of the work world creates great instability in us.”
Stay focused on what you yourself can do to make a positive difference. Know your job, and work constantly to improve your skills. Stay current with industry trends and contribute to your organization's business goals. Strive to have candid, constructive and consistent discussions with your boss to understand what he or she is facing and how you can help.
Communicate. Ask questions, clarify and confirm your understanding of issues. Confront your fears. When we are afraid, we block communication. Fear of losing our job, fear of learning new skills or failing to learn new skills can cause us to clam up and block communication. Open up and explore. Depend on your values to confidently ask the difficult questions. Confront the change.
When layoffs occur -- and you aren't one of those laid off -- you have an opportunity to take on more or different responsibilities. Look for your chance to learn more, to go for a promotion or simply to help close the gap left by those who have been let go. Pitching in will enhance your career path.
If you are laid off, you might initially be devastated. But remember, there may be a new opportunity outside the walls of your office. Define yourself by your values and you only lose a location in your career. A whole world is waiting for you to use those values and apply your strengths.
Next week: What to do if you are laid off.
