Being the Calm for Employees in Uncertain Times | 2-Minute Video

In uncertain times, employers who create the calm will stand out.

You see, employees don’t expect you to fix the chaos, but if their employer is watching out for their well-being when the rest of the world seems so uncertain, they’ll thrive in that culture.

What’s Up in This Episode: Calm in Uncertain Times

That’s why in this episode of HRMorning’s 3-Point, we talk with Rob Cordova, Learning and Development Consultant, Rob Cordova Consulting. He explains what employees want from employers in uncertain times and what you can realistically do to provide the calm they need.

Click, watch and listen for more details on helping employees through the chaos so they remain settled, productive and thriving in your organization.

Transcript (edited for clarity):

We live in uncertain times. You know that. But what you might not know is this: Employees expect their companies and bosses to help them navigate times like this. That’s why in this episode of HRMorning’s 3-Point, we look at those expectations and practical ways you can help employees.

Rob Cordova, Learning and Development Consultant, Rob Cordova Consulting: “Uncertainty is becoming more and more part of our day-to-day. And trying to find some kind of comfort in it and not being afraid of it is becoming super critical. And I think people look to leaders and HR to say, ‘Give me the answers and get me out of this uncertainty.‘”

He’s not kidding. In fact, more than 80% of employees in a Mindspace study said they expect their employers to support their well-being. Many need you to be their calm in uncertain times. So how?

Cordova: “It sounds like an acknowledgment of the uncertainty. It sounds like leaders and business leaders and HR leaders saying, ‘I don’t know.’ And sometimes that is taboo. Right? You’re supposed to know. You’re HR. You’re the leader of the company. Give me the answer. But, it’s a dialogue. It’s to say, ‘I’m not sure, but this is what I’m thinking … What are your thoughts? How might you help us guide this? How might you contribute to us generating possibilities to find solutions in the future that we don’t have today?’ It’s very much more a collaborative effort than, ‘Hey, leader and employer and HR, tell me the answers.“

Now, if we can help employees deal with uncertainty, the ideal is to get them to prepare for the future. The only thing that’s certain is change. That’s why Cordova recommends:

Cordova: “There’s always going to be a level of uncertainty. And if we see it as a scary thing, or something we don’t want to happen, we’re not setting everyone up for success. It needs to be a consistent message of, ‘There will be uncertainty and let me help you manage it.‘”

So, during and in advance of uncertain times, to help employees:

• Admit it. Don’t pretend you have all the answers. It’s better to let employees know they have some control over the chaos, too.
• Discuss it. While uncertainty calls for action, take time for dialogue. Explore solutions with employees. Choose the solutions that will help everyone succeed through uncertainty.
• Plan it. When you aren’t in uncertain times, prepare for change with role-playing or even crisis management training.

You can even find on-demand courses covering change management on the HRMorning website. That link is included in the description below. Thanks for watching this episode.