Asking your employees to abide by changes in the office can be challenging. Most of them will complain about these changes, and others might even decide to leave the job. Of course, you don’t want to reach that point. You wish to keep everyone in the team instead of starting over again. it depends on how you discuss the policy changes. If everyone understands why these changes are necessary, the employees might accept the reality. These tips will help.
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State the objectives
Be clear about these changes that are happening. Let everyone know that the policy changes will benefit the company and the employees. Talk about the long-term effects. It might be difficult for them to understand the situation now, but they will eventually realise that it’s for everyone. Explain the rationale for every policy change and the thought process that went into the decision.
Stay calm
When you call for a meeting, you can expect the employees to react negatively. They already know that the results won’t be favourable. Allow them to feel that way. Try to explain everything as calmly as possible. Don’t allow your emotions to get the best of you.
Use data to back your claims
If you’re going to cut the budget, ask the employees to work harder, or you have a new project, explain the reasons in a meeting. Prepare slides from data obtained by the company and present them using a projector on the ceiling. You can effectively explain the details clearly with the help of these slides. Otherwise, the information will be vague.
Open the floor for discussions
The employees have several questions after the presentation. Allow them to ask about the reasons for these changes. You even have to restate what you already said before. Others heard what you said, but they don’t understand why you’re making these changes.
Offer options
If some employees do not accept the changes, allow them to leave. It’s their right to move on if they no longer see themselves as part of the organisation. Don’t make it hard for them to leave but continue convincing them to stay.
Encourage everyone to do better
Perhaps, these changes won’t be permanent if the company is heading in the right direction. Encourage your employees to work hard until the business starts to turn around. By then, these changes would be more favourable.
Don’t be defensive
The discussion can get heated. You don’t know how everyone will react to what you say. Stay calm and listen. You can’t do anything since you’re only the messenger. There’s no point in defending the company since these employees are probably right. Listen to them and try to clarify the details to a certain extent. End the meeting once everyone feels satisfied. You may also ask the employees to write a letter to higher management officials to share their frustrations.
Hopefully, you can survive this meeting. It’s going to be tough, and it will put your leadership skills to the test.