Last updated on Jul 9, 2024

Your team is facing uncertainty during a corporate restructuring. How can you ensure trust remains intact?

Corporate restructuring can often send waves of uncertainty through your team. As roles shift and the future seems unclear, maintaining trust becomes a critical challenge. Trust is the foundation of any successful team, and it's your job to ensure that it remains intact during these turbulent times. The key lies in clear communication, transparency, and support. By focusing on these elements, you can help your team navigate through the restructuring process with confidence and cohesion.

1 Open Dialogue

Encouraging open dialogue is crucial during periods of change. You should provide a platform where team members can express their concerns and ask questions. This can be achieved through regular meetings or an open-door policy. When employees feel heard, they are more likely to trust the process. Remember, the goal is not to have all the answers but to foster an environment where uncertainty can be discussed openly and without fear of reprisal.

Add your perspective

Marie Ravnholt Sannes

Communications at Nordic Reward Partners
Report contribution
Creative the platform is a good first step; however, how you react to your employees regardless if what they are saying is positive or negative is what makes the true difference. Trust is knowing that your thoughts and feeling are valued and respected; hence, acknowledging is the key.

Like

Unhelpful

2 Maintain Transparency

Transparency is a non-negotiable aspect of trust. You must communicate the reasons behind the restructuring, the expected outcomes, and how it will affect the team. Avoid sugar-coating or withholding information, as this can lead to rumors and misinformation. By sharing what you know and admitting what you don't, you reinforce the message that everyone is in this together.

Add your perspective

Marie Ravnholt Sannes

Communications at Nordic Reward Partners
Report contribution
Also if the restructuring requires lay-offs. Be open and honest about it and let your team grief. Acknowledge that going through restructuring is unpleasant because it rattles the foundation for people’s lives - uncertainty leads to frustration and fear.

Like

Unhelpful

3 Offer Support

During restructuring, support systems become more important than ever. Provide access to resources such as training programs or counseling services that can help team members adapt to new roles or cope with stress. Show empathy and understanding - it goes a long way in building trust. Your team should feel that their well-being is a priority, even amidst the corporate changes.

Add your perspective

4 Consistent Messaging

Consistency in messaging is key to avoiding confusion and mistrust. All communications should align with the company's vision for the restructuring and the future. If different messages come from different leaders, it can create a sense of chaos. Ensure that all leaders are on the same page and communicating the same core messages to the team.

Add your perspective

5 Empower Leaders

Empower your immediate leaders to be advocates of the restructuring process. They are often the closest to the team and can relay information and sentiments effectively. Equip them with the necessary information and authority to make decisions where appropriate. This not only helps in disseminating information but also in making the team feel that they have direct representation and support.

Add your perspective

6 Recognize Effort

Finally, recognizing the efforts of your team during such a challenging time can reinforce trust. Acknowledge the hard work and dedication it takes to navigate through uncertainty. Celebrate small victories and milestones that bring you closer to the new structure. This recognition can boost morale and show your team that their contributions are valued and vital to the success of the restructuring.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Marie Ravnholt Sannes

Communications at Nordic Reward Partners
Report contribution
Managers often find themselves in a pinch between a) wanting to openly share information with the team to maintain trust and ensure your people feel safe, and b) being asked to keep silent and secretive by top management. Managers are tasked with driving the change and ensuring the team effort through the process, while they themselves might be in full personal turmoil, not knowing how the outcome will change their role and ultimately their own foundation. So if you are a manager leading your team through change make sure you have someone outside your team that you can openly share and discuss your feelings with to maintain your own mental health through a process that often requires giving a lot to others.

Like

Unhelpful

Your team is facing uncertainty during a corporate restructuring. How can you ensure trust remains intact?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Open Dialogue

2 Maintain Transparency

3 Offer Support

4 Consistent Messaging

5 Empower Leaders

6 Recognize Effort

7 Here’s what else to consider

Corporate Communications

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Corporate Communications

More relevant reading

Your team is facing uncertainty during a corporate restructuring. How can you ensure trust remains intact?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Open Dialogue

2 Maintain Transparency

3 Offer Support

4 Consistent Messaging

5 Empower Leaders

6 Recognize Effort

7 Here’s what else to consider

Corporate Communications

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills