At the weekend I allowed myself an excursion to watch my team, Notts County, of league 2 (the old 4th division to you and me) play premiership Wigan in the 4th round of the FA Cup. Anyone with even a passing interest in football would be aware of the trials and tribulations surrounding the oldest league club in the world: a multi million £ takeover which proved to be a mirage, talk of another sale, mounting debts and doubts over whether the wage bill could be met, rumour and counter rumour swirling around the club. You would think that all this would affect the work performance of those key members of staff, the players wouldn't you? Well it certainly didn't show on Saturday as Notts raced into a 2-0 lead and were only just denied a historic win by the fluke of a last minute equaliser (OK, I'm biased).
The point here though is that, despite all the uncertainty about their future as well as whether they would actually be paid this month the team still delivered. If you are in the position of having to steer your business though uncertain times and tight budgets you could maybe take inspiration on how to do it from Notts County's caretaker manager Dave Kevan. Throughout his time in charge he has asked the team to concentrate on their own performance and contribution, not on what is going on elsewhere. He has turned the rather beleaguered atmosphere at the club into a positive by using it to bond the team in a 'we're all in it together' kind of way. Above all, he has led by example, refusing to be drawn on speculation about the clubs future and by being cheerful and optimistic, setting the standard and challenging others to meet it. In short he has proved himself to be a real leader, the kind every business could do with in difficult times.
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