Communication tools & platforms are popping up every 2 seconds and companies are constantly vying for better, upgraded ones. But leaders must remember, these are just tools, how you use them depends on you and it matters.
Especially when you have big news to share with the whole company.
Big news means big change and though people are averse to change, don’t feel the need to sugarcoat. Just give it to them straight and keep it professional. People like being treated as professionals and they’ll take the news better.
As leaders create a culture of sharing. Be it Friday lunches or monthly retreats make sure you spend quality time with your employees. It gives them the chance to vent out about hectic deadlines, annoying bosses or other company issues.
Such sharing will just improve your bond with them & help you create the ground for bigger communication.
Break it to the leader pack before you move to the others. This will reduce the possibilities of rumours, which often distort the information and create a negative environment. People will actually turn a deaf ear to the real news and develop a negative attitude towards it.
Nothing beats a face-to-face meeting but with remote employees that could be difficult. Videoconferencing is your best bet! A Zoom call with your employees will help you to share and them to react to the news in real-time; thus making the communication well-rounded and dynamic.
Behind every change, there is a big ‘WHY?’ That rationale must be part of your communication. Your employees will only respect you and your decision more when you do this, they’ll feel a strong sense of belonging.
Make the most of the digital transformation and opt for multiple communication channels. For e.g., if you have a video to share you can share it on mail & social media both; this ensures that the message has been communicated to all. If someone misses the mail, they’ll get it on social media and vice versa. A video message is one of the most effective forms of communication; its the next best thing after a physical meeting. The tone, gestures, body language everything can be seen and felt.
