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A manager's life is not always easy. Sometimes they have to communicate unpopular decisions to their team, such as ones made at a higher level, or unpleasant ones they have been forced into by circumstances. Regardless of whether or not the manager agrees with these decisions, as a representative of the company they must accept them and communicate them as best they can to their team. Here are five tips on how to do this.
These tips were published by Forbes.
First of all, you must not beat about the bush. If you try to be vague about the decision, it will certainly not help your attempts to make the team accept it well. Tell things the way they are and do not withhold any key information.
In order to strengthen your position and prevent employees having false hopes or wasting time and energy on debating, declare at the very beginning that the decision has already been made and is irreversible.
Help your subordinates understand the situation by explaining the circumstances that led to the decision being made. Explain the problems the company or the team would get into had this decision not been made and therefore why it was necessary.
Be willing to discuss the topic openly with employees. Let them ask you questions, and explain to them honestly what the decision means for them. Be prepared for an emotional debate, and try to stay on top of things.
Faced with negative prospects and emotions, people often cannot see anything positive. If the given decision does have certain positive aspects, focus on them and emphasise them to your employees.
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