When uncertainty strikes an organization, it can be difficult to know how to lead effectively. Knowing what to say during a crisis and how to say it’s the difference between connecting with employees and leaving them in the dark. Learning to speak confidently is a critical skill for guiding your employees through tough times.

Speak Transparently to Create Trust

Transparency builds trust within an organization. To strengthen team communication, be clear, direct, and consistent in your communication channels. Encourage teammates to express concerns and keep them looped into all updates—even if they aren’t ideal! To prevent confusion, open communication can help teams align toward a common goal.  

Recognize the Power of “And” 

Leadership strategies you could prioritize include using the word “and” to shift the focus to a positive solution vs. focusing on a negative. For example, “Our ReOrg is approaching quickly, and this gives us a chance to refresh our perspectives as an organization.” During a challenging update, employees will appreciate it when you can speak confidently and encourage them! 

Refocus Your Team on Things They Can Control  

Spoiler alert: the reality is you can’t control everything. Relinquish control of things you can’t manage and then break down the remaining problems into manageable priorities. Delegate these responsibilities to your team. This is crisis management that not only helps manage your stress, but empowers your team to take action on the things they can control.  

Practice Emotional Resilience When Speaking 

Even when team communication can be tough to foster, your emotional state sets the tone at your company. Data shows that emotionally resilient leaders are 22% more likely to lead their teams through a calamity. Having a calm presence where you can speak confidently reminds your team to stay focused and work together vs. letting the problem win.  

Share Past Experiences With Your Team

“Unpacking the past and connecting it to the present helps you create more certainty in the future,” Darcy Eikenberg, Contributor at Harvard Business Review. By sharing stories from past experiences where you overcame obstacles for the organization, you can catalyze positivity while supporting team communication and facilitating employee engagement. 

Inspire Your Team with Short-Term Wins 

When employing leadership strategies for crisis management, such as the use of "and" along with your ability to speak confidently, consider assigning immediately actionable, short-term goals to spark momentum. Celebrate every small win to show employees that step by step, any crisis is possible to overcome. 

Ready to speak confidently in your next role? We’ve got you covered with new opportunities here! 

To sharpen your skills, keep reading: How to Reverse Engineer Your Path to Success, What “The Great Detachment” Means for Your Career, and 6 Things to Keep Off Your Resume.