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Keeping people informed during a crisis is
one of the most visible and important roles of a leader.
In difficult times, it is natural for people
to look toward Senior Leadership for answers and comfort. As ambiguity
increases, fear and doubt can spread across organizations and grind
productivity and employee engagement
to a halt.
Four Tips for Leadership Communication
During Crisis
The higher up you are in an organization,
the more you are expected to stay on top of the situation, understand and
manage ambiguity,
communicate facts, and discuss implications. Follow these tips for
leadership during crisis:
First, Put Yourself in Your People’s Shoes
Your first task is to start with a clear
view of who your audience is and what you want to accomplish with
them. Especially during a crisis, the better you understand what your
audience cares most about and why, the more likely you are to achieve your
desired outcomes.
For example, no one is interested in talking
about the company’s strategic vision if they are worried about losing their
jobs or running out of toilet paper. Once individual core concerns are
adequately addressed, you can focus on getting aligned
around a plan.
Secondly...
Your next step as a leader during crisis is
to...
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