Regressive Cycles

Regressive cycles involve interventions that leaders need to make when an individual or a group is becoming less effective. These regressive cycles can be seen when companies once got great results by doing what they have always done, but times change, and so do markets. When companies don’t change with the times, results begin to diminish. Leaders need to be aware of any changes, and need to be willing to make necessary decisions, too.

Leaders can recognize regressive cycles by being present in their work. When leaders see regressive cycles taking place, they should take the time to look at two things — data and moral. I say data first, because emotions can lie, but data does not. People are human and they can have a bad day, but when a team repeatedly has bad days, there are usually deeper issues that need to be fixed.

If numbers are high and take a dip of any kind, it may be an indication that the trend is heading that way, and it never hurts to be ahead of the curve. Most businesses cannot afford many bad days in a row in the area of finances, so as soon as a dip happens, it is a good practice to ask the right questions: