Nature abhors a vacuum and so do your people

With the numbers coming out around the ongoing recession, and even more importantly, the growing unemployment, it is inevitable that your people are going to start to wonder if or when it will impact their workplace.

You as a leader may also be wondering what changes might be in store for you.

Communicating to your staff on a regular basis is fundamental to your success as a leader. And in a time of such economic uncertainty, you must amp up your communication to unprecedented levels.

In many ways you need to counteract all the bad news that is going on in the media and potentially in your workplace.

In the simplest sense, nature abhors a vacuum.

In the absence of information or data, your people will quickly move to “fill the void” with rumours, gossip and just plain wrong information about the state of the company and their jobs. This of course will have a detrimental impact on the bottom line and make your role as the leader all the more stressful.

So be proactive and become as transparent as possible. This is the time to review your present communication strategies and look for ways that you can increase the flow of correct information to your staff.

For example, increase email communication to staff that specifically focuses on the state of the company and its plans for addressing the economic downturn. Make time at all staff meetings to give a brief “state of the nation” address. Hit the floor and spend time walking around and talking to your staff on a regular basis. Listen to their concerns and fears and provide them with accurate information and address any rumors or stories head on at your meetings.

Good luck!

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Shane Jensen, MA, CEC

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