How Comms Teams Can Help The Managers Who “Remain” Connect With Their Teams
The latest fad in corporate efficiency poses fresh challenges to internal communication managers who don’t find themselves victims of the push.
Middle managers — defined as non-executives who oversee employees — made up almost 32% of layoffs in December 2023, up from 20% in 2018-19, according to an analysis by Live Data Technologies, which tracks employment. Comms managers have felt the sting.
The trend poses three demanding tasks for internal communicators: First, with fewer people managers in the mix, they must intensify their management of the two-way flow of information with employees. Second, they need to persuade senior executives to devote more resources to strengthening the communication skills of the managers. Many of those managers weren’t properly prepared before the layoffs and now are asked to do more.
And third, in the meantime, comms teams must help the managers who remain to better connect with their teams.
Internal communicators can tackle all three challenges with these tips.
From CommPRO:
The article emphasizes the critical role of internal communicators in navigating corporate efficiency drives, particularly the challenges posed by increased middle manager layoffs. It highlights that the reduction in managerial roles necessitates a more robust communication strategy to maintain effective two-way information flow between employees and management. Furthermore, it underscores the need for enhanced communication training for remaining managers, pointing out that improved communication skills correlate with increased productivity and trust within an organization.
Communicators should read this article to understand the shifting landscape of corporate structures and the importance of their role in these changes. It provides practical advice on how to address communication challenges following layoffs, such as monitoring employee sentiment, providing feedback mechanisms, and offering targeted support and training to managers. This insight is vital for communicators to effectively contribute to their organization’s resilience and success in times of change.