10 tips for helpful, comforting COVID-19 communications

Your employees will have long memories about how they’re treated during this crisis. When you come out on the other side, your brand reputation, your leaders’ reputations and the very culture of your company will hinge on how you communicated during this time.

No pressure, right? But communicating with your teams right now is, honestly, mostly common sense.

You want to be consistent, calm, empathetic—and try to have some fun. Here are 10 tips for internal communicators during this crisis;

1. Build a team, set expectations, and establish a rhythm.

If you haven’t already, make sure you clearly establish ownership for communications within your company. Your COVID-19 communications team should include the most senior people in the company, and they should meet regularly to discuss and adjust plans as the situation changes.

Clearly outline the channels to be used to communicate with employees at every level, including remote employees, people on leave and even those who have received job offers, but who haven’t started yet. Every stakeholder is important.

Establish a daily communications rhythm, and tell employees what to expect.

2. Above all, show empathy, compassion and understanding.

Let empathy be your guide.