5 easy methods to handle the corporate's rumor mill
Some call it the grapevine; others call it hearsay. Whatever you call it, it can be problematic and distracting, but it is often a source of valuable information. So I recommend not to ignore it. If you don't proactively talk about topics important to your employees, chances are that this is someone else.
Talk to your managers when employees are buzzing about a crisis
All organizations have a rumor mill. This is a natural part of the employee network. And as much as executives want to shut it down, they can't. But you can do it.
Here are 5 simple strategies for managing the company's rumor mill:
- Maintain your credibility and use it to your advantage.
Credibility won't stop rumors from developing, but it will unleash the truth. It's about communicating what you know, when you knowand make sure your messages are consistent across all touchpoints.
- Be open and careful.
We know that silence feeds fear and fuels the rumor mill in difficult times. However, being too open can do more harm than good, especially if it increases people's fears because you are sharing information that people cannot digest or process.
- Pulse your people.
Regularly ask your direct employees what they hear from their co-workers. W.alk the halls or in the workshop and ask the employees what they think. Having a better sense of what keeps employees up at night can help you stay one step ahead of rumors that may be waiting in the wings. The best part is that they know you are listening and that you care about what they think.
- Anticipate and address concerns.
When people worry about what they don't know, they often imagine the worst and share their concerns with others. If leaders fail to anticipate and address concerns, the vacuum will fill with rumors. Face the anticipated concerns by understanding the mindset that is causing them and address those concerns immediately.
- Add your own messages to the rumor mill.
Hire thought leaders, who typically feed and influence the rumor mill, as well as supervisors across the company. When employees hear the same news From your manager (always your preferred source) or the CEO, read it online and hear about the rumor mill. They are more likely to believe it and, above all, act accordingly.
How do you manage your company's rumor mill?
– David Grossman
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