Andy Raynor - Beyond the Brief
	Andy Raynor's blog Aaaaaargh.......The enemy's out there (Part 3)... This is getting to be perpetual motion – based on a hastily invented version of the “Rule of 3”, this is absolutely the last instalment. The cause of this conveyor blogging is the question, quite honestly posed after episode 2, of how to communicate a message that cries out for negative interpretation – the need to improve efficiency and keep a tight rein on costs. It seems, naturally enough, that good messages are easy to convey and we all want to be on the soapbox, but when times are tougher......you can guess the rest. There are no secrets to this, quite literally. It’s about talking clearly about the issues and the goals and being unafraid to trust. The vast majority of people are sensible, level-headed, loyal and generally selfless. So why is it that management in a corner assumes the opposite? This is not and must never be adversarial. There is no room for “them and us” in a crisis.....or ever. How you communicate has to be your personal choice and style. You can’t do this from a book, but you can think about these five things. They’re all important to your team. Talk openly – or your people will assume it’s worse than it is Communication is soothing, almost whatever you say. Natural reactions are to feel privileged to know, to feel involved, to begin to see the purpose. These are powerful, positive emotions that will help you. Get amongst people This is so bloody obvious you’d think it shouldn’t be here. But I have to say it because many will not realise that closed office doors and barred head office suites are not the places for leaders of a business. Remember that if the drawbridge is up, everybody knows there’s a siege. Or that you’re scared of your own team, which is even worse. Get off your backside, now. Be human Make sure people know more about you than just the day job. It’s far easier to relate to someone if they know about your kids, sport, whatever....and learn the same in return. It’s about including people. Think about it. Know your stars, make them leaders Others can do this as well as you can. Find out who and let them help.....and get some time back for the things you really have to do yourself. Share the upside Why not? Is it any coincidence that two of the most recent reported results success stories are Savills and John Lewis? Ok, they’re not accountants or law firms....but your point is what? If we’re saying we’re all in this together, we’d better mean it. And you knew all this anyway, didn’t you?   Tell me what you think at andy@andypraynor.com And take a look at what's been said before by looking in the archive:
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