Don’t be spooky (therealadam.com)

Article summary

The article advises managers to communicate with their team in a clear and reassuring manner, avoiding vague messages that can create unnecessary anxiety and speculation. Leading with context and providing sufficient information can help prevent team members from filling in the gaps with negative stories. The article also suggests delivering constructive feedback as close to the relevant event as possible. This approach can help reduce uncertainty and promote more effective communication.

Main themes

• clear communication
• managing anxiety
• effective feedback
• team morale
• meeting etiquette
• information sharing

What commenters say

• Managers should provide clear context and information when communicating with their team to avoid creating unnecessary anxiety.
• Vague messages can lead to speculation and negative storytelling, which can be detrimental to team morale and productivity.
• Some argue that delivering bad news or sensitive information in person is more collegial, while others prefer to have time to process the information before discussing it.
• Clickbait-style meeting announcements can be perceived as spooky or unprofessional, and may not be effective in conveying important information.
• Regularly scheduled meetings with clear agendas can help reduce uncertainty and make communication more efficient.
• Providing a clear topic or agenda for a meeting can help team members prepare and make the conversation more productive.
• Opposing views exist on whether to deliver bad news directly or to provide some context beforehand, with some arguing that directness is better and others preferring a more gradual approach.