Nearly every major corporation in America is going through, or has been through some sort of shift within its structure. We saw internet providers and technology advance into the twenty-first century well before the twentieth was over. Then, the bubble burst and many folks lost jobs and investment funds. Next, the lending business exploded after an artificially induced high-speed rate of growth that was touted as mirroring the “excessive ‘80s”, but it wasn’t real. The funds weren’t really there, so investors who were ripped off in the millions and the whole nation is trying to sew the holes in their pockets because of the actions of certain banking and lending institutions.

Think about some of the leadership from those companies and what they went through after losing their jobs. Pretty much the same hardships as the rest of us, only their humiliation and guilt may have been tenfold because it was more high-profile. See, not all of those leaders and managers were bad people; they worked at a company with a board of directors that made some bad decisions. Some of these men and women are very talented, highly educated and experienced executives who are back on the open market. Now, they’re ready to sell their skills and knowledge to help build another company and turn it into a successful machine of production. Yet, too many of them are either still unemployed or are only finding jobs that are way beneath their value.

There is a cynical but realist adage that says, too often in life, we are forgotten for the many good works we do and only remembered, by the one, last failure we committed. When an accomplished executive runs the engine of a well-oiled company, there is no daily praise; they're just doing their job. But when the machine breaks down and profits collapse, that’s when the executive is dropped without the golden parachute, and sent out to land on their own. The executive's name is cursed and everything good they've ever done is forgotten. On their way out the door, the only thing anyone remembers is how the entire crash was their fault.

Everyone makes mistakes but what happens when the slap is undeserved? Mid-level leaders know, when machinations are beyond their control, they can either stay quiet and have a job, or take a stand and be unemployed. So, how will "the good guys" in the group that do find work again regain/retain the respect and trust of their employees after negative publicity or a work history at a “tainted” company? Striking up a conversation via a Social Media outlet is one of the first ways to begin regaining the credibility that may have been lost in the mire that came before.

Whether you’re a mid-level manager or the executive who wants workers to understand that you were not one of the few who had a golden parachute to land with when the crash occurred, you can discuss these things openly in a blog. Or you can simply talk about anything else that proves what a regular person you are, things that let the employees know you’re aware of their economic plights. Prove to them that a common pain was felt when things went wrong. Respond to their comments and let your employees know you are listening to them. Find your allies among the rank and file and call on them as a source of credibility. State the fact that you are one of the good guys and be sure to point out the others that went down with the ship who were also good leaders but were led by a bad board of directors.

For those fortunate leaders who are able to find jobs once again, over time you will prove your mettle to your employees because you honestly are one of the good guys.  Those who work for you will come to realize that your leadership skills and principles are sound; just keep talking to them through your blog and listen to them when they comment. Don’t expect praise, after all you’re just doing your job. However, you can count on being respected and trusted. That’s all any leader really needs, the key ingredients of loyalty.