How To Help Your Employees Cope With Change

Date posted: 17th November 2020

2020 is drawing to a close and what an unpredictable and bizarre year it has been.

However, the unpredictability and sporadic changes are set to continue for the foreseeable future. Change and uncertainty can cause panic and unrest within a work environment which can ultimately lead to a dip in overall performance. 

So, how can you help your employees to cope with change during a challenging period? 

Here at Kingswood Group, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best ways to keep your team assured and productive:

Look, Listen and Learn

It is unfair to presume how change impacts your employees. The only way to truly find out is to take the time to look, listen and learn from them directly. Given our normal face to face meetings might not be able to happen try to find other methods of communication such as phone calls, video conference calls etc.

It is not always easy for employees to voice concerns and discuss their own anxieties with senior management. By dedicating time for them to do so and asking them directly how they are coping, both inside and outside of the workplace, you will be able to adapt to give them the best work environment possible. 

Show That You Really Care 

Great management teams have the full trust and respect of their employees. How do you achieve this? Showing that you care.

When you dedicate time to listen to concerns, that’s exactly what you should do. Try to avoid having these meetings just to appease HR teams, listen and learn from your employees and then make adjustments accordingly. Care and consideration is always appreciated and, in more cases than not, replicated. That sense of cohesion, belonging and trust is absolutely vital for businesses to operate at the highest possible level during periods of constant change. 

Positivity Leads To New Opportunities

We understand that these times are difficult for everybody in the business, from owners and senior managers to the core group of employees. Nevertheless, positivity is contagious and when messages of encouragement and motivation are at the heart of the business, everyone benefits. 

That positive energy can also lead to brand new opportunities. It is vitally important that you identify employees that are finding the current climate difficult and offer as much support as possible, but equally if you are able to identify the employees who take initiative and step up in challenging times – you can utilise their potential to develop new solutions, ideas or initiatives for the business. Often the most brilliant minds and ideas are sat right in front of us the whole time. 

Give Your Team The Tools They Need

If you are lucky enough to have the resources, you can utilise this difficult time to retrain and prepare your team for a bright new future. All of these changes can open new doors and by providing extra training and resources wherever appropriate, you can capitalise. 

But, if these times are proving even more challenging that initially envisioned, then remember that we are all human. You employees may not need anything more than reassurance. Being honest about the position of the business and what you are looking to achieve and what you need to move forward as a business. That information is priceless and can be so valuable in helping your employees to cope with change. 

Kingswood Group

Here at Kingswood, we are proud to be helping business move forward. Utilising our experience and expertise allows you to concentrate on the things that you’re really good at during these bizarre times – running your business.

Find out more about what we can do to help you and your business cope with sporadic and unpredictable change by clicking, here: https://kingswoodgroup.org/outsourced/