Welcome to Inbox Zero, the podcast where I, Bianca Lager, help busy entrepreneurs and small business leaders reclaim their time, cut through the noise, and solve the challenges piling up in your inbox. If you're looking to grow your business without the burnout, we’re here to share actionable insights that make space for what really matters—the high-quality life you're seeking.
This week I am joined by Carina Harlow - PR and internal comms expert.
Question of the week:
"I’m a COO of a 7-year old start up (is that still a start up? lol) and a quarter ago we found out some tough news about one of our largest clients. Basically we are losing revenue so we have had to get cash scrappy. I'm really good at this kind of thing since I have a history with shoe string budgets in small businesses and I get along well with the CFO so we recommended some ideas together. My problem is how the CEO has decided to communicate these changes to the team (or lack thereof). We're on a "need-to-know" basis so sometimes he cuts thing out without me know that even affect my own team and I'm stuck scrambling with an explanation I don't have. I know this has also affected our client facing teams too and sometimes I find stuff out last minute that I know will be a huge deal to certain reps. Our CEO's philosophy is to wait and see what people complain about before we react. That seems crazy!! He doesn't want to freak out the staff by announcing these budget cuts or at least not more than we have to. But my team trusts me and they tell me that everyone whispers and now, everyone’s worried about job security, and morale is low. I’ve noticed a dip in productivity, and a few of my employees are openly job hunting. The truth is, they SHOULD BE job hunting but I want to keep everyone motivated, and I’m not sure how to be honest about the financial situation without making them panic and annoying the CEO since I could also be on the chopping block and this job economy does not look fun! I would appreciate any advice on how to handle this as it feels like an ethical and a business dilemma. Is there any hope for us?"
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Bianca Lager and Her Journey
02:50 The Importance of Internal and External Communications
05:58 Navigating Leadership Challenges in Startups
08:52 The Role of Transparency in Leadership
11:57 Strategies for Managing Team Morale
14:55 Empathy and Leadership During Uncertain Times
17:52 Addressing the Elephant in the Room
21:02 The Human Element in Corporate Communication
23:54 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Communication
AI Podcast Recap: Navigating Leadership Communication and Team Morale During Uncertain Times
In the latest episode, Bianca Lager, former CEO of Social Intelligence Company and current keynote speaker, was joined by her sister, Carina Harlow, a corporate communications expert.
Together, they dove into a thought-provoking listener question from a COO of a 7-year-old startup facing internal challenges. The listener described a tricky situation where the company's CEO preferred withholding communication about budget cuts, which led to growing mistrust and low morale among employees.
Carina, drawing from her extensive experience in internal and external communications, emphasized the importance of transparency in leadership. She discussed how a lack of communication can lead to uncertainty, decreased productivity, and even employee turnover, and shared practical advice on fostering open, empathetic leadership during times of instability. Bianca and Carina explored the tension between strategic leadership and the human need for honesty and security in the workplace, offering real-world insights on how to balance those concerns without undermining authority or morale.
Key Takeaways:
Empathy and Transparency Matter: Open communication, even when not all answers are clear, builds trust and can prevent a decline in morale.
Support Your Team: Leaders should offer realistic guidance, support employees during uncertain times, and provide encouragement—even if it means acknowledging their fears about job security.
Leadership’s Role in Crisis: Leadership isn't just about making tough decisions—it's also about effectively communicating those decisions in a way that keeps teams motivated and productive.
Control Your Lane: As a leader, focus on what you can control, provide support to your team, and advocate for clearer communication from the top.
To catch the full conversation, listen to the podcast episode now, and don’t forget to submit your own leadership and business questions at this link!
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