Leading by example – engaging leaders in change communication

We love working with great leaders to deliver change, but also recognise that some need a little support to get there. Leaders are the face of change within an organisation and are not necessarily just those in senior grades. Their communication style and behaviours can significantly impact employee perception and ultimately, the success of the change initiative.  

How should leadership communicate during change? 

We usually find ourselves supporting leaders through change by advising them to: 

• Communicate little, but often. Share as much information as possible, as early as possible. Transparency and visibility build trust and reduce uncertainty. 
• Listen Actively: Create opportunities for 2-way dialogue. Listen to employees’ concerns and feedback and address them promptly. Addressing concerns quickly shows that their voices matter and can lead to improved solutions. 
• Show Empathy: Acknowledge the challenges of change. Show understanding and compassion for how changes affect team members whilst sticking to the narrative. While remaining committed to the overall narrative, empathy creates a more human connection and reduces resistance. 
• Consistency: Mixed messages create confusion. Leaders need to ensure their communication is consistent across all channels, from town halls to internal memos to casual conversations. This eliminates ambiguity and reinforces the core message of the change initiative. 

Leadership communication plan ideas 

So how can leaders translate these behaviours into actionable practices? Here are some ideas: 

• Increase visibility: Schedule regular meetings or online events where employees can hear directly from leadership and ask questions. 
• Effective internal communication platforms: Utilise internal communication channels like newsletters, intranet sites, or social media platforms to share updates and engage employees in conversation. 
• Leading by example: Leaders set the tone. Model the desired communication behaviours in their interactions with employees and colleagues. 

Examples of leadership communication 

A Chief Executive holds regular video updates with all employees, openly discussing the rationale behind the changes and addressing employee concerns directly. They also invite other subject matter experts to join the conversation and encourage department heads to hold regular open forum discussions with their teams. This transparent and consistent communication style builds trust during a challenging time and helps employees navigate the change process more effectively. 

Leaders have the power to make or break a change initiative. By adopting these communication behaviours and actively engaging with their employees, they can create a climate of trust, understanding, and ultimately, success during change. 

In the next part of our series, we’ll delve into the importance of employee voice and how to leverage it as a powerful tool for communication during change. 

If you’d like a chat about or need any support on any of what you’ve read, let me know – I’d be happy to share my thoughts.