3. Build an effective team

Team building takes on real importance when the pressure is on. It is a more complex challenge than just building or improving morale in individuals. Remember that you don't have to have all the answers €“ part of creating an effective team is to involve your team and to harness their creativity and contribution.

4. Focus on talent management

If times are tough and team members are feeling pressurised, you might have a problem keeping your best people or enticing new people to come and join you. Think carefully about how you can give added responsibility and scope for development to your most talented individuals. Be creative and they will respond in kind, as they will recognise that their talents and skills are being fully utilised.

5. Be authentic

This means being genuine and believable in every interaction with your team, and acting with integrity and consistency. You will want to take a common sense approach, but so often this is either missed completely or underestimated in terms of importance. We all want our workplaces to be happy, productive places with people doing a great job for our customers and everyone showing a real sense of pride in their work.

This won't be achieved if people feel they are being led or managed by a boss who is anything less than someone they have respect for. This doesn't mean you have to be best friends with everyone, but it does mean that you have to be professional, consistent, resilient and focused in all that you do.