For months now we've been hearing the word recession. It's hard to make sense of the myriad expert opinions about whether the economy is or is not in a recession, but whatever the technical reality, the R word is on everyone's mind. Businesses are feeling the pinch; executives are worried about the bottom line. Unfortunately, worry is more likely to hinder success than enable it. In this newsletter we talk about both the attitude and action you can take to stay at the top of your game even in this time of economic uncertainty.

Don't work. Play.

I recently had the opportunity to hear Dave Buck, a well-known speaker and expert executive coach, give a fabulous talk called The Power of Play. He observes that adults have managed to turn everything into work - we work at relationships, we work at our golf game, we work at work. It's all about doing - attaining specified outcomes on a schedule by putting our noses to the grindstone. Stress and striving have become our measure of success. Sometimes these efforts bear fruit, but at what cost?

Characterizing play as both doing AND being, Buck describes play as a means to higher productivity. Play involves no less preparation - we still need to know the goals (how to win the game), have the skills (know the play book, improve our fitness, practice our moves) and checkpoint our progress (huddle in the locker room to get psyched for the second half of the game). But play unlocks a different mindset that can afford us a competitive edge - when we are in the flow of the game, we naturally tap into invention, resourcefulness and resilience stifled by stressful work. Oh - and we have more fun!

Consider the NBA champion Boston Celtics and what corporate teams can learn from their example. First, the Celtics organization assembled great team members (highly skilled, experienced, motivated - these guys love basketball). Second, the team adopted a business strategy (their theory of the game - in the Celtics' case, that teaming is paramount; to win, you have to share the ball). Third, they did competitive research (they understood the assets and strategies of their opponents). Fourth, they prepared (through practice, strength training, gaining a mutual understanding and trust of each others' playing styles). But then, they played the game - with speed and agility and a creative flair that left their opponents flatfooted.

What can you do as an executive?

Get a playbook. It's likely you already have a great team, but they may be wilting under the stressful specter of revenue shortfalls and belt-tightening. Activate the power of play. Find your "theory of the game." Think about it, articulate it, and communicate it to your team members. If your group is charged with finding technology solutions for priority business problems, perhaps the theory of your game is innovation on a shoestring. Let that notion influence everything the team does, spurring creativity and collaboration to solve problems in new ways. Evaluate your customers and competitors and then bolster and channel your team's talents to address the demands of each. Facing a particularly tight deadline? Assign the player on your team with an aptitude for quick decision-making and the ability to simplify to get things done.

Coach the game. How will you keep your players motivated and "in the flow" of the game, able to tap that resilience and creativity? Think short-term at first, so you can win one, celebrate that victory, and get ready for the next match. Need to grow revenue 10% this year? How about setting a goal to build 3 new business relationships this month and set your team about achieving that incremental step. And rest. Great athletes rest so that they can play more and, as a result, produce more - score more baskets, win more games. Our focus on doing work often denigrates rest. Great coaches know that rest is not for the weak, it's for the strong - and makes the strong stronger.

Summer is a great time both to explore the game paradigm and rest your star athletes. You'll likely be amazed at the renewed energy with which you all approach the game. Tremendous results will no doubt follow. Just ask Doc Rivers.

About Swistro Advisors
Specialists in organizational transformation, Swistro Advisors collaborates with executive teams to clarify organizational direction, actuate change, and support the mastery of skills and leadership behaviors to ensure enduring productivity gains. Together, we envision and attain your goals.