Guest Blog: Resourcing Teams and Communicating
Guest Blog
By: Amira Barger
Resourcing Teams and Communicating
This week’s blog is guest-authored by Amira Barger – Cook Silverman consultant, communications, diversity, inclusion and equity guide. It is a pleasure to work with such talented colleagues and I am honored to share their thoughts and wisdom.
There are few times in human history where an event happens that supersedes all those things that commonly serve to divide us. Coronavirus has crossed the lines of race, gender, and financial well-being. That being said, the impact is not felt and experienced equally. Communities that are among the traditionally disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable groups have been hit hardest – and not only as it pertains to contracting the virus and death rates. The number of people filing for unemployment is at an unprecedented high. Our elderly are at risk, with many unable to obtain the resources they need. Grocery store shelves are intermittently emptied. However, the organizations that serve those communities are feeling the impact as well, while demand for their services are needed perhaps now more than ever. As leaders in the nonprofit sector, balancing the responsibilities of the organization and the people that make up the workforce can seem overwhelming.
Communicating with your staff (and resourcing them to communicate well) has never been more vital. Our minds are overtaxed from our many meetings via video-conferencing, taking on homeschooling realities we didn’t imagine we would need to face, and news coming in by the minute. Yet, even in the midst of the virtual onslaught of information, people are hungrily seeking information and communication at every opportunity. People crave interaction and want connection to one another – we are seeking confirmation that we are all in this together.
With that in mind, we must carefully navigate new ways of communicating that are mindful of both the global situation and the trauma we are experiencing individually. In terms of how we communicate to our teams in this new era – a few key things to note:
• Listen for their needs. Use an affirming tone, offer a positive perspective and communicate your organization’s values.
• Be explicit in how you are supporting staff, donors, volunteers, and the nonprofit sector as a whole.
• Continue to send messages to your teams. Do not disappear and go dark, but do not forget to be tone-wise and relevant.
• Now is the time to expand or initiate use of digital tools with your teams. This situation is unfolding and changing every day, and we must be prepared to pivot our messaging to match. Social media provides the opportunity to communicate with teams in real-time and often.
• Reaffirm your teams by assuring them that you are in this together. Do your best to meet their information needs by providing access to a collection of resources that are relevant.
Even as we look towards what will become our “after” (Because this is not our new “normal”. Full Stop.), communication will continue to be paramount. Keeping the pulse of our teams will help us through any coming transitions. I like to test my tactics against other trusted partners and thought leaders. One of my go-to’s, particularly for an equity lens, is Awaken – a firm committed to developing inclusive leaders and teams. Check out the Awaken blog for more ideas on communicating with your team during a crisis.
This week’s blog is guest-authored by Amira Barger – Cook Silverman consultant, communications, diversity, inclusion and equity guide.