Inviting employees
Inviting employees to take charge of their future is at once an invitation to seize opportunity and to incur risk. To engage in redefining work practices, trying new approaches, and working with
new colleagues can be both an exciting prospect and the cause of anxiety. One way leaders can position this invitation involves talking about the kinds of new responsibilities that they themselves will be undertaking and how they feel about it. Conversations on this subject could include talking points like:
? “I’ve been doing it this way for a long time; now I’ll have to change.”
? “I’m not sure what the changes will actually look like . . .”
? “What I’ll most regret losing is . . .”
? “I don’t think we can go on doing it the way we have because . . .”
? “I’ll be making a commitment to:
? “give up . . .”
? “try a new . . .”
? “take a chance with . . .”
Through all these communications, you will want to sound a consistent note of agency: We are not going to let change happen to us; rather, we want to take charge of change and manage it to serve our best interests.
Taken from : The Leader As Communicator
