Over the last couple of months, with the COVID-19 pandemic and related changes in the business world, many managers and team leaders have found it difficult to ensure that their employees feel connected and supported while delivering the best quality of work.

Having good communication skills is important for any manager or leader but it’s absolutely essential to deliver clear messages when you are guiding teams remotely, and trying to boost employee morale during periods of crisis and uncertainty.

If you are unsure about how to effectively communicate with your staff while moving to the next new normal, here are some tips to enhance top-down communication:

1. Increase the frequency of your communication – During uncertain times, with staff working from home and frequent changes everyday in terms of regulations, it is important to touch base with your employees more often than you did in the past. For example, if you previously had a weekly update meeting, try organising one now every other day to make sure everyone is on the same page.

2. Enhance virtual communication – Be proactive with adopting new technologies to enhance your virtual communication, especially if most of your team is working off-site. Even when working on-site, you can promote communication between different departments and teams by encouraging online interactions through various software or apps.

3. Be transparent – Try to share as much information as possible with your team and avoid sugar coating any difficult news or updates, while being considerate and kind in your delivery.

4. Be available – Introduce an open-door policy, even virtually, if you don’t already have one. Your employees should know that they are supported and that you are there to listen to them.

5. Listen to your team – Engage with your team members and actively listen to their questions and suggestions, while taking note of their non-verbal communication to understand how they might be feeling. During one-on-one conversations, give your full attention and be empathetic so that employees feel seen and know that their concerns are being taken seriously.

6. Talk about goals – Make sure that each employee is aware of how their contributions are helping achieve the strategic goals of the company. Your people should feel like they matter and that their support is critical in surviving this time and meeting business objectives.

7. Focus on the future – Your team may be busy completing their day-to-day tasks and projects but it is a good idea to remind them of where the company is headed and to invite them to identify opportunities for growth.

8. Express appreciation – Remember that many people are finding it hard to be productive during this uncertain time. Find formal or informal ways to express gratitude and appreciation for any task well done.