So many Americans are infuriated and heartbroken by the events that occurred in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021. As lawmakers convened in a joint session in the House of Representatives chamber to count Electoral College votes and certify the election of the 46th President of the United States, rioters violently stormed the U.S. Capitol to disrupt the process of democracy at work. It was a horrifying display of domestic terrorism.
How to Talk with Your Team About the Violence at the U.S. Capitol
Many leaders don’t know how to discuss current events that elicit strong opinions and emotions and so their default is to say nothing or make only a passing comment. They must instead lean into moments of disbelief, frustration, anger, fear, and anything else people might be feeling. Begin by remembering two things: one, political views may vary but there should be no tolerance for violence, racism, or attacks on democracy in a respectable organization, and two, employee reactions will depend on their unique backgrounds and experiences. Now you can engage in constructive dialogue by creating space, acknowledging the difficulty of processing the event, affirming everyone’s perspectives, speaking to your personal reaction without making assumptions or generalizations, offering immediate and ongoing support, reinforcing your personal and your organization’s values, and highlighting additional resources.