4 Conversation Cues for Addressing a government-mandated business closure with your team…

Treat Team with Extra Kindness & Respect

Everyone is worried about the future- whether it be concerns about money, health, home-schooling, or even the zombie apocalypse- this is the time to be exceptionally kind and patient with your team. You want to alleviate as much fear as you possibly can by remaining calm and level-headed as you discuss business closure in a clear and compassionate way.

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝑴𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝑫𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆
The more details you can provide to your team, the better they will feel about the closure. Explain the timeline of the closure (to the best of your knowledge), the schedule of ongoing communication from you & include information about pay. Be direct, honest, and considerate.

𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
You must establish a cadence of ongoing communication with your team to keep members informed, aligned, connected, and sane. Once you establish how often you will communicate (at a minimum weekly), then make sure you stay consistent. Your team needs to feel confident in your ongoing leadership and commitment especially given all the uncertainty in the current landscape.

𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌-𝑰𝒏 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓
During the course of the business closure, you should take the time to call and check-in with each member of the team individually. You want to thank them for their dedication and loyalty and listen to their concerns about the current situation. The point is to be present for your team in a highly personal, yet professional way.

Walk the walk of servant leadership and your team will be eager and ready for your Re-opening!