Hello! Are you a manager struggling to support your team during this time especially given the continued threat of insurrection leading up to the inauguration? I am increasingly realizing that my role is to plan accordingly *before* yet another "historical event"...

A thread

I lead a small nonprofit and am looking for guidance as we collectively navigate this nightmare that is relentlessly asking people to work despite tremendous, incalculable challenges to their mental/physical well-being + the many personal losses they are privately grieving. 2/10

Our staff has been incredibly helpful in naming their needs and fears, and offering strategies for us to manage this together. Several colleagues have also offered great advice. But every bit helps. 3/10

First, I know every organization is different with scale deeply impacting how much agency managers have to make these kinds of calls with their teams. So, consider this thread an attempt to just throw ideas around and see what works for you and your team. 4/10

Tip #1: Varying Needs // Some of our teams will be able to step away more than others due to deadlines, etc. So, our first step has been to admit that there really is just no one-size-fits-all policy to help an entire org cope and still somehow feel grounded in our work. 5/10

Tip #2: Meetings // We will be asking staff to cancel as many meetings—internally and externally—as they can next week so they do not feel like they have to force themselves online if they need to process. 6/10

Tip #3: Email // We are encouraging staff to put up a vacation responder next week to let colleagues know that they may be delayed in their correspondence so they do not feel pressure to be available if they are unable to focus on their inbox. 7/10

Tip #4: Internal Communications // We use Slack at our office and have asked staff to let us know if they need to be offline so no one pings and adds any undue stress and pressure. We've also asked that they keep their away statuses up so their boundaries are clear. 8/10

Tip #5: Holding Flex Space // We have decided to proceed with our weekly staff meeting knowing that some folks will want to use the time to be together and process, while others will be unable to attend because they process differently and will need to be alone. 9/10

That's where we are so far! Any other tips? Are folks finding any strategies useful to protect their people? Thank you in advance! 10/10