Leading change at work? You need a communication plan.

In the absence of good information people will believe any information, including rumours and lies.

If you want to transition your team safely through times of change you need to talk your way through it together.

The importance of giving regular updates to the team

Give regular (read weekly) face-to-face updates about what's happening and how it affects your team. In the absence of any new information re-state the status quo. Don't let too much time go by between updates, especially at the beginning of the change process. Your regular updates will help your team feel secure and give them information to counter the rumour mill.

Your updates can also help your team decide how they feel about what's going on.

Find someone who can support you

If you feel anxious or negative about the change, your team are more likely to become anxious or negative.

Find someone you can talk to about the change. Not one of your team, but perhaps a colleague or friend, someone who you can talk honestly with and who might be able to help you with your perspective if you start to feel swamped by it all.

Now for the unpopular bit...

You don't have to like the change, but you do have to accept it, and smooth its path with your team. It's why they pay you the big bucks.

Grumbling about it and moaning to your staff about it are not okay. You will only create more grief for yourself and your people.

Be positive, be supportive and be present.

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