A leader’s communication with his or her employees is important. You communicate goals and objectives, give motivation and encouragement, gather and disseminate information, and more. But the “when” of your communication may have a negative consequence. Colossians 4:6 reminds us, “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” How can you show grace in communications?
Do this: Minimize emailing or texting your employees with work communications during off time. Sure, you’re burning the candle and both ends and leading the charge by working hard. But it can be tremendously disheartening for an employee to arrive on Monday following their weekend to a full inbox. And for those who don’t log on during the weekend, they may not know what to expect and can come in on Monday and be blindsided. Finally, you’re setting the expectation that employees have no down time to themselves—that they should be available 24/7, and that they are given no opportunity to step away from their responsibilities and enjoy their off time. If those employees generally like and respect you, they may feel obligated to respond to you on their time—even if you say, “I might email you on your days off, but don’t respond until Monday.”
Instead, reduce weekend and after-hours communication. If you don’t expect a response until Monday, then use the scheduling feature of your email platform to schedule what you write on Saturday to be sent on Monday morning instead. Give employees their weekend or evening time by staying out of it. This is an excellent line to draw as a leader that will be a silent motivation to employees as you attribute value to their time off to rest and refresh. You can attack the day again together on Monday morning.
