Economic disruption. Those two words can tighten a stomach faster than a Monday morning inbox. But what if we flipped the script? Instead of seeing uncertainty as a threat, what if we saw it as our moment—the moment—for HR to rise, lead, and activate the awesome within their teams?
The recent SHRM article offers powerful ways HR can prepare for economic disruption: from scenario planning to workforce agility. It’s solid advice. But preparation isn’t just about plans—it’s about people. And that’s where HR shines brightest.
Here’s how to shift from reacting to reengaging, using my three-step people-first approach: Discover → Connect → Become Inspired.
1. Discover What’s Working (It’s There—Let’s Find It!)
When things feel uncertain, the default is to look at what’s missing. But often, the gold is already within the organization — you just need the right lens to see it.
This is where tools like Positive Impact Mapping® come in. Instead of focusing on what’s broken, it highlights what’s brilliant, your people’s untapped influence, unspoken efforts, and quiet wins. You’ll spot the unexpected connectors, the uncelebrated doers, and the hidden culture-shapers who are already holding your team together.
Disruption doesn’t have to mean damage. Sometimes, it’s just a sign to pause and discover the good that’s already happening.
2. Connect Deeply (Beyond Surveys and Soundbites)
Employees can feel the shift before the strategy does. That’s why HR must lead with connection, not just communication.
Forget blanket emails and disengaged town halls. Now is the time for real conversations. Connection means asking better questions, listening without an agenda, and creating spaces where people feel safe being honest, even about the hard stuff.
When people feel seen and heard, they lean in. They offer ideas. They stay. Connection is the bridge between disruption and opportunity, and HR is the architect.
3. Become Inspired to Act (Not Just Cope, But Create)
Once people feel seen and valued, the spark comes back. But inspiration doesn’t happen by chance; it’s activated.
That’s where the A.W.E.S.O.M.E.™ framework steps in. It’s not just a feel-good acronym; it’s a process that helps teams reflect, reframe, and reengage. Whether you’re facing layoffs, restructuring, or uncertainty about what’s next, the framework helps people build momentum, strengthen their self-belief, and step back into purpose.
Because the truth is: people don’t just want stability. They want to grow. And growth can absolutely happen. Yes, even now.
Final Thoughts:
Economic uncertainty isn’t going away. But neither is the opportunity in front of us.
This is HR’s moment to lead differently. To stop patching and start activating. To guide teams to Discover what’s working, Connect with their purpose, and Become Inspired to show up in bold, brilliant ways.
Let’s stop asking how we survive the disruption. And ask how we rise through it.
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