Another day, another change you need to communicate to your staff. Let\u2019s face it, as a leader your job is increasingly focused on managing and communicating change.<\/p>\n
To maximize your effectiveness, three keys will assure that your communication (whether email, video, live presentation or another medium) connects with your associates and helps manage change in your organization.<\/p>\n
You need these keys because insufficient communication \u2014 or not communicating effectively \u2014 can result in a lack of alignment with your associates, who you need all pulling in the same direction. Ineffective communication can also result in team members feeling that a new change is another \u201cflavor of the month,\u201d making them less likely to take action. It can also affect morale, with team members feeling a new change is something management is doing to them versus being involved in the process.<\/strong><\/p>\n Here are three critical points, or keys, to focus on when communicating change<\/a>.<\/p>\n Most leader communications involve an inform step. We\u2019re good at sharing the details of what\u2019s happening. However, there are other specifics you\u2019ll want to include for truly effective communication<\/a>.<\/p>\n These include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n Great leaders inspire others. As a leader, take the opportunity to inspire your associates by communicating your excitement for the change. Include a glimpse of the intended future after the change takes hold.<\/strong> Think through how work will be better and incorporate those ideas into all of your change communications. If you\u2019re feeling inspired, your staff will mirror that energy.<\/p>\n There are numerous ways to build excitement in your organization:<\/p>\n Your associates want to know they have a voice in the change, so you need to take every opportunity to involve them in the process and to gauge emotions. Solicit their thoughts and feelings formally or informally with a link to a quick survey to collect feedback or ask them to share their thoughts and opinions via email. Be open to continued communication<\/a> to ensure they understand and accept the change.<\/strong> People involved in the process are more likely to adopt the change more quickly.<\/p>\n\n The Keys to Effective Change Leadership: Inform, Inspire, Involve<\/h2>\n
Inform<\/h3>\n
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Inspire<\/h3>\n
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Involve<\/h3>\n