Steven Darien serves the Cabot Advisory Group as chief executive officer. In this role, Steven Darien provides companies with strategic guidance in human resources matters such as organizational change.

1. HOWTO
COMMUNICATE
CHANGETO
EMPLOYEES
Steven Darien

2. Introduction
• Steven Darien serves the Cabot Advisory Group as chief executive
officer. In this role, Steven Darien provides companies with
strategic guidance in human resources matters such as
organizational change.
In today’s disruptive and competitive business environment,
change is inevitable.You may know this, but how do you prepare
employees for it?
When going through change, the first thing you need to do is talk
to your staff. Clarify the issues. If the business is going through a
restructuring or a merger, talk to your staff about what exactly is
happening, why it is necessary, which operations will be affected,
and how the change will occur. Clarity eliminates guesswork and
allows employees to better prepare for change.

3. Communicate Change
• Involve your staff in the process. Encourage them to speak openly
to you. Show you care. Listen to their concerns, and identify the
key issues. If they are manageable, reassure your team and take
steps to deal with their concerns. If the issues are out of your
control, do not promise something you cannot deliver on.
Open the lines of communication further by involving senior
management in the talks.Their reassuring words can be profoundly
calming.
Lastly, be positive.Challenge your team to be optimistic, and to
seek out opportunities and solutions that help the business in the
face of change. Consider adjusting the award system to reinforce
positive attitudes.