Financial uncertainties, remote work environments, business disruptions, the deluge of mixed messages … we could go on and on. This pandemic put a spotlight on the importance of clear and intentional communication between senior leaders and frontline employees.
In fact, this week, the Wall Street Journal highlighted this very point in the article, “With Business Turned Upside Down, CEOs Face Monumental Leadership Challenge.”
The article highlights how leading CEOs are putting internal communications at the top of their priority list during this very trying time, “Many CEOs, cut off from their staff for the first time, are ramping up their communication with employees to address the confusion, anxiety and isolation setting in among the rank-and-file. They are sending daily companywide updates, hosting virtual town halls and sharing personal photos and stories from home.”
While the crisis certainly has elevated the need for intentional and sustained internal communication from senior leadership — the fact is — clarity and alignment is something employees crave and need at all times. Sure, isolation and remote working environments have presented additional communication challenges, however even during the best of times, employees desire consistent communication from the top. In fact, according to Harvard Business Review, many of the top complaints from employees involve their leaders’ communication skills.
Our hope, at OnMessage, is that this crisis passes quickly — however — the importance of strategic and sustained internal communications remains top of mind with senior leaders well into the future.
While the need for communication regarding the crisis will fade, the need for clarity and alignment across your workforce will remain. Once this devastating event has passed, our recommendation to senior leaders is this: Shift the time and energy that you are placing on internal communication during the crisis — to communicating with your employees about your go-to-market strategy, your higher purpose and vision, and the story you want to share in the market.
Leaders who make this commitment will reap significant rewards when these trying times are behind us.
