Recently, while conducting a seminar on the topic of leadership in a troubled economy, I asked the group of senior managers from the client company this question: “Other than losing their jobs, what else are workers afraid of in this economy?”

Some of the answers, in no particular order, include:

• Fear of stalling on my career path.
• Fear of not learning new skills, technologies, and disciplines.
• Fear of having to tell people bad news, including telling people they don’t have a job anymore.
• Fear of being asked to take a pay cut.
• Fear of being furloughed.
• Fear of having to play politics to keep my job.
• Fear of losing touch with friends who used to be fellow employees.
• Fear of having to work too hard, taking on the work of those who’ve been let go.
• Fear of losing my comfortable routine.
• Fear of taking too much time away from family because of an increased workload.
• Fear of losing my passion for my company.
• Fear of getting a new boss.
• Fear of disappointing customers.
• Fear of losing my health, from stress and overwork.
• Fear of having to “make do” with substandard resources for getting the job done.
• Fear of losing good relationships with some vendors, because we’re not paying them on time.
• Fear of losing good relationships with some customers, because they’re not paying us on time.

We could debate all day whether or not we can stir up any sympathy for some of these “lesser” fears, especially when people are losing their livelihoods.  I don’t think that’s the issue. The issue is – if you’re a manager trying to get the best from people, and they’ve got some of these fears, you’ve got to deal with them.

Fear leads to preoccupation. And preoccupied employees can’t do their best work.

Leaders who do the best job of helping people deal with whatever fears they have will be best positioned to get through this mess, and to emerge stronger on the other side.

And yes, there will be an “other side”.

Richard Hadden is a leadership speaker, author, and consultant who helps organizations improve their business results by creating a great place to work. He and Bill are the authors of the new book Contented Cows MOOve Faster, as well as the acclaimed business classic Contented Cows Give Better Milk. Learn more about them and their work at ContentedCows.com.