Change of any kind in a company can bring uncertainty. And when things feel uncertain, it’s more important than ever to be proactive in communicating. Everyone will have lots of questions about the future, and it’s important not to ignore these questions or pretend no one’s asking them.
Most Recent Articles on Communicating Change
For many of us, the words “I don’t know” are like kryptonite: a sign of weakness.
In reality, the ability to say “I don’t know” can be a hidden strength. Particularly during times of change, we need to be honest, straightforward and timely in sharing what we know – even when there are open issues and/or there’s much that’s still hasn’t been decided.
The Best Thing to Do When You Don't Have the Answer
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It’s crucial to look at your communications as a process of repetition. Leaders who haven’t realized the benefits of communication done well, tend to think of communication as a “check-off-the-box activity. For example, they’ll think, “I sent an email. Therefore, I communicated.” By doing so, they confuse getting the message out with actually creating shared meaning and understanding.
In recent months, however, many leaders have seen the upsides to repeating important messages. When the pandemic hit, they quickly got crystal-clear on what needed to be said about workplace safety, COVID-19 protocols, work from home policies, among other critical topics, and they drove home the message.
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7 Tips to Follow as You Reboot Internal Communications Through COVID-19
Posted by David Grossman on Mon, Aug 24, 2020
Last week we conducted a series of webinars for communicators, focusing on a model we recommend to reboot internal communications through crisis for greater effectiveness long-term, called the 3Rs: Reflect, Reimagine, Reboot.
The sessions brought about fruitful discussion, sharing of best practices and challenges from attendees that allowed us all to engage in a dialogue about how best to approach what’s next.
Read MoreTags: Internal Communication, Communicating Change, COVID-19 Communications
Reset Company Culture: 4 Steps to Take as You Define Your Organization’s ‘New Normal’
Posted by David Grossman on Mon, Jun 15, 2020
With so many changes happening in a short time stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and social crises, employers face important decisions on how to go forward in managing their teams and adapting for today’s realities. It’s a good time to look at where your business is now and apply what you’ve learned over the past several months. It’s also important to look at ways you are listening to and connecting with employees, and opportunities for greater focus on diversity and inclusion.
Read MoreTags: Internal Communication, Communicating Change, COVID-19 Communications
The Workplace is Changing and Your Company Culture Should, Too
Posted by David Grossman on Tue, May 26, 2020
“We were able to do in days what would have taken years.” I’ve heard this often lately.
I’m in awe of how employers and employees have stepped to the plate to do amazing things… shifting business plans in days, reinventing ways of working, and turning “we could never” into “we can and did." In many ways, though, the hard work is just beginning. We’re entering a new stage of navigating through change when fatigue sets in and a company’s culture is tested.
Read MoreHelping Employees Navigate Mergers & Acquisitions Through Change Communications
Posted by David Grossman on Mon, Mar 09, 2020
Successfully integrating two companies is difficult and effective communication and change management are key. A study conducted by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and Mercer asked CEOs after a merger what changes they would make if they had to do it again. Their top response: the way they communicated with employees.
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Change Management Communication: 5 Step Planning Guide
Posted by David Grossman on Mon, Feb 17, 2020
Organizations going through change naturally focus on the project being implemented – what has to be done by when to complete the action plan. They often don’t give as much thought to what people need to do differently to achieve the desired results. Yet most organizational change won’t succeed without employees somehow adopting new ways of working.
What is Change Management Communication and Why is it Important?
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Communicating Change Well Means Dialogue With Employees
Posted by David Grossman on Tue, Oct 08, 2019
It’s easy to speak in platitudes and general terms when you’re looking to inspire change inside an organization. But the problem is those general messages get lost amid all the other sources of information flooding employees today. What’s more, we often resist what we’re not part of creating and so do employees.
Tags: Communicating Change
What Employees Want to Know Most in Times of Change to Eliminate the Grapevine
Posted by David Grossman on Mon, Sep 16, 2019
Often the biggest complaints from employees today is about all the change going on. Another restructuring, transformation, cutback, change at the senior leadership level... and on and on.
Change is the Norm
Change can be exhausting for employees; yet it can also be exhilarating and help evolve an organization in a great way. Regardless, the most important thing for employees to realize is that change IS. For organizations to grow and succeed today—and to meet shareholder demands and expectations—they’re going to have to continually evolve.
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