COMMUNICATION: Speaking Positively in a Negative Climate

Massive layoffs. Cutbacks. Budget constraints. Plummeting stocks. Bankruptcies. Store closings. Huge business and personal losses. “The worst economic conditions since the Great Depression”. You hate to ask, but “Can it get any worse?” Well according to economists and the President, yes it can!

So how do we put everything into proper perspective for ourselves and the people we lead? How do we allay the concerns and the fears of our team members, our direct reports, our families, ourselves—especially when the immediate future is so uncertain? It starts with what you say. Here are three ways you can speak positively in a climate that has become increasingly negative and dire:

1. Your comments should be open, honest, sincere, confident, and frequent. Market conditions seem to change everyday. We are barraged with bad news constantly, and it seems to get worse with each passing day. Employees need to hear from management about important changes that are occurring within the company in response to these challenging times. If your company is fairing well through it all, then your people should know it. That kind of news is a confidence builder. If your company is experiencing some hardship, your people should know that too. Keep them informed. They want to know how they will be affected, and they deserve to know. Be honest. Don’t tell them one thing one month, and then bomb them with layoffs the next. They need to have an honest idea of what’s going on—good and bad.
   
2. Keep your comments focused on the positive years ahead. Since today is as unpredictable as tomorrow, we need to speak about the possibilities of growth and stability in the years to come. We need to speak of plans that are currently being created to keep the company moving and to capture those opportunities that will put the company in a position of strength later. The immediate future holds too many possibilities of failure. Your people can get their fill of negative news on television and in the newspapers everyday. They don’t need you to corroborate it unless it impacts your company directly. Encourage their feedback and creativity in problem-solving and process improvements. They may find ways to increase revenues and decrease expenses that may be worth considering. Employees feel more confident and hopeful about leadership that is open-minded and forward-thinking.
   
3. Talk about the positive things that are happening in your business now. Even if you’re getting hit by this recession, there are still positive things happening in your business. How often are those positive occurrences being touted for the people who need to hear it everyday? Not nearly as often as the negative news. There needs to be balance to keep morale up and productivity above average. Company news updates can be shared via newsletters, intranet, staff meetings, press releases, and good ole word-of-mouth. Even the most insignificant reports can be encouraging.

In this environment, no news is not good news. The more news is provided, the better. The more positive news circulating, the better to fend off the anxiety and stress that can negatively affect productivity. Changes are inevitable in this climate. A leaner work force, fewer resources, heavier workloads, unbalanced work and home lives, and a loss of revenues require the need to make adjustments. Change is difficult. These current times are difficult. But an infusion of positive communication in the midst of negative news can be your company’s very own stimulus package.