Great Mālama Messages in not-so-great Times

Yesterday, I wrote about some rumbling we may be hearing in our own self-talk right now.

When a great message replaces the unsettling ones,
people smile again.
[Photo credit: “Little Secret” by Pricklebush found on Flickr]

Today, what do Great Managers do when they anticipate that kind of rumbling might be happening?

They pass along a better message which can replace the unsettling ones: A Mālama Message.

One classic means of very effective communication in my corporate history was that letter known as the paycheck stuffer.

Face-to-face, “Let’s talk about it.” conversations are always best, so that questions can be immediately and personally answered. Workplace huddles should proactively be addressing economic challenges right now.

Those paycheck stuffers —missives which take the form of a letter from the Big Cheese— do not replace great workplace conversations, but what they do is

a) make sure they happen, triggering follow-up if the conversation has not yet occurred

b) give junior, unpracticed managers a good script to adopt and personalize,

c) and put the right message in writing just in case the informal verbal ones became lost or misconstrued in the way that conversations can organically happen.

My husband showed me a great example he got with his last paycheck. The letter started this way:
[the links are mine, for any who may need recent context— every employee knew exactly what he was referring to.]

Aloha Colleagues,

In light of the recent closures of Aloha Airlines, ATA Airlines and Molokai Ranch, along with daily negative media regarding the state of our economy, understandably many of you are concerned about your future. It is important that we all remain calm and continue to focus on what we do best ...

He (my husband’s boss, the general manager of a hotel) continues to encourage everyone in his letter, however he also specifically states what he, his executive team and sales team are doing about keeping the business healthy: He also asks for everyone’s help, involvement and participation. He states his appreciation for everyone, and opens his door to anyone wanting to speak with him personally.

I think he did a great job. My husband tells me that this GM is showing up in departmental meetings everywhere in the hotel right now, just to be there, more visible, more available, more willing to listen to any idea or suggestion anyone wants to offer.

Great managers are there when we need them. We hear from them, and they are sure they are available to hear from us.

If you are a manager, is there Great Mālama Message you should be sharing right now?

Is there a place, closer to your people where you should be?

There’s more than cash in that paycheck opportunity!
[Photo credit: “Paying attention to detail” by Unhindered by Talent - great photog handle! found on Flickr]

Article titles that go with the links above:

• “about some rumbling” —Are you Job Complacent or Company Loyal?
• “Great Managers” —The Calling of Management: The 10 Beliefs of Great Managers
• “Workplace huddles” —For the BEST 15 minutes in the workday, Huddle
• “great workplace conversations” —Let’s make a Great Managers’ Conversation Agreement
• “closures of Aloha Airlines, ATA Airlines and Molokai Ranch” —Working Beyond Their Means
• “negative media regarding the state of our economy” —How is Your Workplace affected during a Recession?
• “asks for everyone’s help, involvement and participation” —Anita Bruzzese shares a great comment with us about asking for help.