who have a remote working environment .
Our worsening energy crisis means that most South African businesses are without electricity during the working day , which creates an added burden of stress for employees who are unable to properly conduct their roles and responsibilities .
Loadshedding pressures cause distractions and disruptions to things like meetings and can have a negative impact overall on what is possible in terms of value creation .
• A struggling economy Around the globe , everyone is feeling the pinch of a downward-trending economy . In South Africa , the effects amplified by the near overnight doubling of fuel costs , thanks primarily to the war in Ukraine , compounded by the effects of statecapture , the pandemic , and an unreliable electricity supply .
Maslow ’ s hierarchy of needs tells us that if a person ’ s fundamental needs are not met , they simply will not be able to do their best work . I have noticed that people are more tired and emotionally worn out this year . This leads to sluggish productivity and elevated levels of apathy .
• Rapid organisational response to changes
We have seen major decisions handed down from leaders for execution without any context or consultation . Whilst at times this is a necessary approach , it leads to demotivation . Everyone wants to feel like they are a valued member of a team , and that their views are appreciated . I have seen so many instances over this year where better communication and inclusive decision-making would have led to far better results .
facing challenges that impede progress .
Businesses need to be open to reinvention in the new norm . For example , consider shortening all meetings by ten minutes to afford people the time to move around and regroup before the next zoom call . Screen-time is one of the main reasons why our team has chosen to convert our traditional two day , in person training to half-day online sessions spread over three-to-four days .
• Taking care of mental health This is the biggest health crisis of the pandemic but is often hard to spot . When somebody is behaving below perceived expectations , it is important to generate empathy . One way to do this is to pause before responding and consider no less than five plausible reasons as to why they are behaving this way .
Communication is always your best friend in these circumstances . Employees need to feel reassured that leaders are understanding , and that help is available , if required .
Lastly , we want to express our gratitude for your continued support and readership . It is your engagement and enthusiasm that drive us to deliver valuable content month after month .
Successful investing
NEALE PETERSEN FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
• Stimulate new ways of thinking Allowing people , the space to breathe has been so important . Many of us have felt stuck in our jobs while constantly
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine APRIL / MAY 2023 4