Communicating in tough times is crucial

When I’ve been with leadership teams of organisations facing acute financial challenge, one immediate operational areas where savings are demanded is from communications. How the organisation listens, shares information, and manages reputation is seen as a luxury when compared to ‘keeping the lights on’.

The reality is that, especially during crisis, effective communication is essential for maintaining trust and confidence. It's about explaining, proactively and consistently, the 'why' and 'how' the organisation is responding to challenging situations so everyone feels their interests are considered. Particularly for public sector organisations, it means residents, services users and stakeholders believe there is a plan and that their interests are being considered rather than abandoned.

The role that leaders must take in proactive communications is summarised neatly in this article from Public Digital. It includes working to avoid the 'truth gap' where leaders use messaging that shies away from reality. As example after example proves, leadership overhype can lead to poor organisational decision making because of the failure to acknowledge and address operational, service, and market challenges (https://lnkd.in/e4Um97fH).

One month since I launched Strategy + Impact, leadership communications has already become a focus area. I've been working with several organisations to help leadership teams connect strategy to culture and experience. I begin by encouraging leaders to take a holistic, organisation wide approach to communications. By activating leadership purpose and strategy, I’ve seen a transformation in behaviour that contributes to improved culture and external experience. There is still so much to learn but it is exciting to see the impact this approach can have.