Bad stuff happens.

You have to close a store, you have to downsize, it’s time for a major restructuring. And this is going to be something which shakes the confidence of your employees. So you spend some sleepless nights trying to figure out how to approach the announcement.

I’ve been on both sides of this, and have come to realize that there are some fundamental principles which can help you navigate these treacherous waters.

First, realize that you’ve had more time to adjust to this than they have. You’ve had weeks, perhaps even months, to adapt to the new reality. Emotional journeys take time, and your employees will just be starting when you make the announcement. Think back to the day when the realization suddenly came to you, what the impact was, and then be patient with peoples’ struggles.

Second, understand that employees’ views of the situation are different than your own. You have visibility of the decline in the market and increasing red ink on the bottom line, while an employee may be more focused on the immediate loss of her job and health insurance. It’s not that they don’t care about the business – they certainly do – but