Today managers often make tough decisions in response to the ongoing crisis, but many cause real harm to their companies. Here are some human-centred strategies managers can use to prevent this.

Inform of your decisions and prospects with caution. Events such as layoffs, compensation adjustments, and cost reductions are often inevitable in a falling market. Careful reporting of such decisions enables companies to communicate the need for such steps in a way understandable and acceptable to their employees and partners.

Upgrade and develop key leaders and teams. In uncertain times, we still need to invest in capacity development and overall coherence of our leadership teams. Such investments can help us significantly improve human capital, release leaders so that they can focus on those areas of business that have been neglected or are developing; and simply improve the ability of teams to manage effectively, both now and after the crisis.

Attract and retain new talents with serious intentions. Companies that attract new people in uncertain times should ensure that they bring immediate benefits and returns. To this end, managers should conduct in-depth analysis prior to recruitment to ensure that applicants have proper qualities to perform the tasks involved.

Make sure that workplace culture is aimed at achieving company goals. When managed strategically, workplace culture not only supports employer’s brand perception but also speeds upon key business results. Unfortunately, too many managers fail to take proper care of workplace culture in uncertain times, thus creating the void to be filled with practices that almost never help to achieve growth and profitability goals.