5 Ways to Build Trust and Communication During a Continuing Resolution

Originally published on LinkedIn

Saturday night I stayed up way past my bedtime eagerly awaiting the Senate to vote on the continuing resolution. (Honestly, my money was on a shutdown) …as we all take a collective sigh of relief, unfortunately we all know this is only temporary. Congress has given everyone 45 more days to get their affairs in order and continuing prepping for the worst-case scenario. While it may be tempting to pause preparations and employee communications, now is the exact right moment to continue building trust and accountability with your employees.

Truthfully, we really don’t know what will happen, we could be stuck in limbo with numerous CRs, Congress could reach an agreement on a budget, or the government could indeed shutdown right in time for the holiday season. All scenarios require careful navigation, as trust and communication can erode if not actively maintained. Here are five strategies that companies can employ to ensure that trust and open communication remain intact during these challenging times. Here are five strategies that you can employ to ensure that trust and open communication remain intact during these challenging times:

5 Ways to Build Trust and Communication During a Continuing Resolution

Prioritize Transparent Communication

• Be Open and Honest: While it may be tempting to withhold information or sugarcoat realities during budgetary standstills, it's crucial to be transparent with your employees. Share updates as you receive them, even if they're not always positive.

• Use Multiple Channels: Utilize a mix of communication channels such as town hall meetings, emails, and intranet updates to disseminate information to ensure everyone stays informed.

Engage in Regular Check-ins 

• Leadership Presence: It’s essential for senior leadership to be present and available. They should be setting aside time for regular check-ins, not just with managers but with teams and individual contributors.

• Open Door Policy: Encourage leaders to adopt an open-door policy, where employees at all levels feel comfortable sharing concerns, asking questions, or seeking clarifications. 

Foster a Collaborative Environment

• Involve Employees in Decision-M aking: Even during uncertain times, involving employees in the decision-making process can empower them and give them a sense of ownership. This might mean brainstorming cost-saving measures or re-evaluating project priorities together.

• Feedback Loops: Establish mechanisms where employees can provide feedback, whether through surveys, suggestion boxes, or direct communication. Act on this feedback where possible and acknowledge when action cannot be taken immediately.

Provide Resources for Employee Support

• Training and Development: Offer training sessions on resilience, change management, or other relevant skills that can help employees navigate the uncertainties associated with a continuing resolution.

• Wellness Programs: Recognizing the stress that a continuing resolution can cause, consider offering wellness programs or resources, like counseling services, or organize a group yoga outing to help employees destress.

 Celebrate Small Wins and Reinforce Company Culture

• Highlight Positive Stories: Even during challenging times, there are bound to be success stories, milestones achieved, or examples of exceptional teamwork. Highlight these stories to remind everyone of the company's strengths and purpose to continue to provide excellent value to your customers.

• Reinforce Core Values: Revisit and emphasize the company's core values. Remind employees that, despite external challenges, the company’s identity and mission remain unwavering. This can be a source of unity and motivation.

Navigating a continuing resolution is undoubtedly challenging, but with proactive communication, collaboration, and a focus on employee well-being, companies can maintain trust and morale with their employees. Remember, it’s not just about getting through the tough times, but emerging stronger and more cohesive on the other side. We all know, even if we make it through without a government shutdown this year, next year is just around the corner…

If you missed my first two articles you can catch up here:

• Effective Employee Communication Tactics for the Potential Government Shutdown

• Tackling the First Email : Employee Communications During a Government Shutdown