.webp)
.webp)
Your guide for...
Employee comms through an election year
HQ and Speechwriters of Color lay out how leaders can prepare now, support democracy in November, and keep their teams engaged through inevitable change.
Approaching November
The trick — and challenge — is for leaders to identify which issues are appropriate to engage on, which ones are not, and how to empathetically communicate that divide to employees.
- “Expect the election to affect engagement, productivity, and workplace relationships,” said Janet Stovall, global head of DEI at NeuroLeadership Institute. “Leaders should start now to set the tone for inclusivity.”
→ We share a framework to decide which issues to to tackle, who to include, and what messages and channels to prioritize.
Approaching Election Day
Most organizations can focus conversations — and team communications — on two things:
- Civic engagement: Make it easy for teams to find details about voting and benefits that support their participation.
- Org involvement: Highlight brand-relevant ways, if any, you are supporting society’s ability to get to the polls and learn about what’s on the ballot.
→ We share the 3x3 communication strategy to help you through it and what resources are key to supporting your staff.
Approaching Inauguration Day
“To navigate the post-election period, leaders need to be both empathetic and proactive, recognizing either outcome may evoke strong emotions,” Stovall said. Before deciding to address the results, consider:
- Does the outcome directly impact our work or industry?
- Have employees expressed anxiety or concerns?
- Will the outcome create or exacerbate tensions at work?
→ We share example communications from other organizations, advice to lead with empathy, and former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki's "what to do if you get it wrong" action plan.
