Last year was certainly a brutal year. Many workers are burned out, anxious, and exhausted. As we delve into 2009, there are still plenty of significant challenges ahead. So how can managers rally their employees for the hard slog ahead?

Although many managers can't reward workers financially, emotional and psychological kudos come at no budgetary cost and can prove to be just as effective. So, if managers can do a good job of helping employees to feel secure and see light at the end of the tunnel, they might actually boost per-person productivity.

Below are five steps managers can take to motivate employees and keep productivity popping.

1. Always be honest. Any hint that managers are holding back the truth about the company's health will likely stoke fear. In a lot of cases the truth right now is ugly, but that's something leaders need to be transparent about. If they don't, it creates a buildup of fear and paranoia—and that hurts productivity.

2. Take interest.  The best managers take a genuine interest in their employees’ lives. This doesn't mean prying into private matters, but rather showing an interest in the employee's life outside of work, through simple, small gestures like asking what employees are doing for the weekend.

3. Communicate about the company. Despite the turbulence, employees want to know the company will continue to exist, move forward, and keep the same values. It's a manager's job to help employees understand what the company’s main goals and objectives are, and explain any big changes.

4. Create hope. Let employees know that there are things they can do to help the organization grow and prosper. Tell them what they can focus on to make a difference. Things as simple as sharing knowledge with co-workers and smiling more at patients are things employees can throw their energies behind.

5. Focus on employees' strengths more than their weaknesses. When times are bad it’s easy for managers to harp on what an employee has done wrong. However, that can sap motivation and make them dislike their jobs. So, spend more time talking about an employee's strengths and ways to enhance those strengths, and touch on areas to improve on only when necessary.

Even though healthcare has emerged as one of the most recession resilient industries, this is not to say that the profession has gone completely unharmed by today’s economic climate. It’s apparent that employees everywhere are feeling the stress of the times. The good news is that managers can help employees through this period and at the same time, help the organization leverage productive, motivated employees.

"Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier."

—Colin Powell

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