Motivating your staff in a difficult economic period

In my last post, I asked the question on how to motivate your staff in difficult economic times. This is a topic that comes up again and again whenever there is recession or downturn in the economy. The question arises because recession brings fear to the workers. The insecurity that comes from the possibility of losing their jobs paralyzes them. There can be no reasonable discussion with the boss when layoffs loom them. So, how should the leaders deal with this situation?
     The best thing to do in the given situation is to be open to all your staff. Tell them how the situation is and what you are doing to change it. Tell them the plans you have in changing the game. Also tell them what you intend to do if the situation gets worst. There is nothing better for any human being than showing them that you care. Even if some are laid off in the worst scenario, they will understand that, at least, their boss was humane with them. 
     The clarity of your plans and actions makes them prepare for the worst. It also gives them the motivation to go extra mile to change the course of events. There is no way you can lead someone with fear. In order to conquer the fear, there must be a vision. The vision is the driving force. In other words, vision is the force behind the motivation. If you are a leader, you need to understand this and apply it to your subordinates. Think about this!