Interpersonal skills are key to managing staff during times of crisis

Even the darkest cloud has a silver lining – but there is a time and a place to mention it. When employees are struggling through a crisis, putting a positive spin on the situation can make them feel as though their concerns aren’t being taken seriously, according to Patricia Faison Hewlin, an Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour at Desautels. Instead, managers should seek to maintain open lines of communication, demonstrate empathy and know how to seek additional resources when they are needed.