What Not To Do

All of the work to develop an effective communications plan can be undone by just a few misstatements that fuel the rumor mill or contribute to lack of confidence. Here’s what managers should avoid doing at all costs:

1. Managers should not respond to any questions from employees unless they are absolutely sure of the answer. They should say, “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you as quickly as possible with an answer.” There should be ample ways to verify information quickly.

2. Managers should avoid giving any employee advance or “inside” information. This is not the time to play favorites with anyone, and it’s also unprofessional.

3. Managers should stay away from situations where they are involved in informal discussions that include speculation about future prospects for the company. Even the presence of a manager in such situations could make a faulty impression and fuel rumors.

Employees will scrutinize every statement, nuance, and even the body language of every manager. The sensitivity of the situation calls for clarity, honesty, and maturity from every manager.