The good news about bad news: Openness works

Forthright communication generates loyalty, effort among your workforce

Employees want open communication from their bosses, particularly in bad times. Surprise, surprise.

Well, don’t just slough that off: Being kept in the loop translates into increased commitment and good will among the staff.

According to a recent Ouch Point survey from Opinion Research Corp., employees are twice as likely to go the extra mile for their company and about four times as likely to recommend it to others if they’re satisfied with the ways it communicates difficult decisions.

“I can summarize my reaction to this study in one word: Duh,” says Jim Ylisela, president of Ragan Consulting. “Anyone working in communications today knows that employees always respond better to open, candid communication from their leaders, even when the news is bad. Especially when the news is bad.”