Tell It Like It Is
We can't escape bad news—story after story about layoffs, closures and falling profits. It's only natural that employees are worried about the safety of their jobs. "Am I next?" they undoubtedly wonder, and they deserve an accurate picture of your company's health. In a post at Harvard Business Online, John Baldoni offers some tips for straight talk:
- "Do not assume that everyone knows how the recession is affecting your business," he says. Even if you're thriving, employees won't know it for a fact unless you tell them.
- Use charts and graphs to compare your performance today with your performance a year ago, and project future returns in best- and worst-case scenarios. Invite them to contribute ideas for achieving an improved outcome.
- Be realistic—no rousing victory-at-any-cost speeches à la Winston Churchill. Furthermore, avoid giving them false hope. "Be clear with your folks that well-intentioned, hard-working employees cannot guarantee upturns if customers are not buying."
- Look for humor where you can find it. "Laughter is not the avoidance of seriousness; it is recognition that humans need diversion," he says.
At the end of the day, remember that your tone matters as much as your words. Baldoni cites a favorite quote: "People forget what you say, but they remember how you made them feel."
The Po!nt: Speak softly—and talk straight. Employees will appreciate knowing where they stand, and whether the ground is still shifting. Find the right tone, and tell them.
Source: Harvard Business Online. Read the full post here.
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