BE AUTHENTIC Stick to the facts. The rumour mill will already be working overtime ~ you don't need to fuel it with your own speculation. Don't over-promise. You'll only disappoint later. You must be seen as the conduit for facts and plans, and for providing help and advice. TAKE THE LEAD Make it clear to everyone that you are on point. This is not something that should be delegated to your HR or Communications teams ~_no matter how good they are. CREATE A CLEAR PROCESS Set it out in advance. And stick to it. Use as many vehicles as possible face-to-face, conference calls, webinars, online Q&A, intranet. RECEIVE ~ DON’T JUST TRANSMIT {tis essential that colleagues know they can raise their own concerns — and that they will be heard. Again, use the widest range of vehicles for this purpose. BE (DON’T JUST SOUND) EMPATHETIC People will want to know ‘what does this mean for me (and my friends and colleagues)?” They may be worried, frightened, angry, confused. These legitimate concerns will influence what people hear ‘and how they respond, so be ready for this and react appropriately. But remember, you are the (coder ~ gee AND LASTLY... BE VISIBLE Don't hide behind, or under, your desk with your office door closed (if you're lucky enough to have an office). Get your own coffee, use the colleague restaurant, go and see people rather than ‘emailing them. Although people may not want to engage openly at first it is worth getting out and about — to be seen, but also to watch and listen. The mood will come through if you let it. Of course, none of this will work (and you'll certainly fail the authenticity test) ifthe first day you adopt these approaches is the day after ‘the big news’ ‘So ~ for the good of your colleagues, for the good of your organization and as a high-performing leader— start acting as a visible leader from today. Source: Fisher, David, "Can You See Me Now? 6 Steps to Becoming a More Visible Leader." CommsMasters, http://blog.commsmasters.com/2013/03/can-you-see-me-now-6-steps-to-becoming-a-more- Visible-leader. Accessed 5 February 2018.