“Why Didn’t You Communicate This Sooner?” | Shara Hutchinson, Xposeyour

Shara Hutchinson, MBA

TEDx Speaker | Author of Barefoot in the Boardroom | Chief Change Strategist at Xposeyour | Leadership Thought Leader

When it comes to implementing changes in an organization, communication is key. Unfortunately, all too often, changes are made without communicating effectively to the people who are doing the work leaving the team asking the leader, “Why didn’t you communicate this sooner?” This can lead to confusion, frustration, and a breakdown in trust within the team, slowing progress and hindering success. 

In order to ensure that changes are implemented successfully, leaders must communicate effectively with their team members. Here are some tips for communicating changes in a way that gets the best results and keeps employees engaged:

1. Be clear and specific – When communicating changes to your team, it’s important to be clear and specific about what is changing, why it is changing, and what the implications are for individual team members. Avoid vague or abstract language, and use concrete examples and data to illustrate your points. This will help your team members understand the changes and how they will affect them.
2. Provide context and background – In addition to being clear and specific, it’s important to provide context and background information when communicating changes. This can help team members understand the rationale behind the changes and see the bigger picture. It can also help build trust by demonstrating that leaders have thought through the changes and have a solid plan in place.
3. Involve your team in the process – One of the most effective ways to build trust and engagement when implementing changes is to involve your team in the process. This can include soliciting feedback, asking for input and suggestions, and involving team members in decision-making. When team members feel that their voices are being heard and their opinions matter, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to the changes.
4. Be consistent and transparent – Consistency and transparency are essential when communicating changes. Leaders must be consistent in their messaging and transparent about the process and the results. This includes providing regular updates on the status of the changes and being open and honest about any challenges or setbacks.
5. Celebrate successes and recognize contributions – Finally, it’s important to celebrate successes and recognize the contributions of team members when implementing changes. This can help build morale and reinforce the value of the changes. It can also help build trust by demonstrating that leaders are committed to their team members’ success.

In conclusion, effective communication is essential when implementing changes in an organization. By being clear and specific, providing context and background, involving your team in the process, being consistent and transparent, and celebrating successes and recognizing contributions, leaders can build trust, engage their team members, and ensure the success of the changes. So, the next time you’re implementing changes, remember to communicate early and often and involve your team members every step of the way.

NOTES:

• Click Here to Watch My TEDx Talk– “How to Lead Change That Sticks”
• Shara Hutchinson is the CEO of Xposeyour and the author of Barefoot in the Boardroom, a practical change management manual for executives.
• Click here to download the first 3 chapters of Barefoot in the Boardroom: Every Leader’s Guide to Navigate Change at no cost.