With news of layoffs and job cuts everywhere, employees are feeling “recession anxiety,” stress about job security, everyday expenses, inflation, rent, retirement savings, the housing market, and more.
Even if your business is doing well, don’t assume your people know that.
Your competitors are already eyeing anxious employees for their own businesses.
Now is the time for you—as a manager, a leader—to connect with your people.
These tips can re-engage your people at a crucial time. More importantly, they communicate that you care about them, regardless of if you know what will happen next.
Top Communication Tips to Action Today
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Connect now and don’t wait. You want to clarify the health of your business while also communicating a sense of care and respect for their lives.
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Be transparent. Managers should foster two-way communication, especially when layoffs are imminent. Employees do not value secrecy.
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Check in consistently with your direct reports—what they need, how they are feeling, what you can do to make them feel more secure.
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Reflect on what channel serves your purpose best. General comms are great for informing; 1 on 1 channels better foster emotional connections with people and can be the best for relationship building or delivering difficult news.
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Be direct with what must be done to rally through. What behaviours and actions are required of you and your team to avoid the worst? Communicate clearly on how your people can work these in now and report out on progress along the way.