The Indispensable Workplace Persona During a Crisis

In times of crisis, effective communication becomes paramount, and having the right individuals to lead the response can make a significant difference. Recent research conducted by productivity platform Slack and market research firm YouGov surveyed 15,492 desk workers worldwide, revealing that individuals with a workplace persona known as "The Networker" excel in driving effective communication during crises.

Networkers are instrumental in times of crisis due to their unique abilities and preferences in communication and collaboration. Making up about 25% of the average Australian workforce, Networkers prioritize building relationships with colleagues and thrive in environments where they can work closely with their teams in person rather than remotely. Their proficiency in face-to-face communication allows them to effectively connect team members, fostering cohesion, especially in diverse project teams where communication is key.

During crises, Networkers shine as they possess the innate ability to connect with the right people at the right time. Their preference for face-to-face communication enables them to navigate through challenges swiftly by facilitating direct interactions and fostering open dialogue among team members. In this way, Networkers play a vital role in maintaining organizational resilience and ensuring effective response strategies during turbulent times.

During a crisis, such as a suspected data breach, Networkers play a crucial role in facilitating communication among various stakeholders involved in incident response. These stakeholders typically include security teams, legal support, IT specialists, HR personnel, and external consultants. Due to their extroverted nature and strong interpersonal skills, Networkers excel at keeping team members informed and ensuring that information flows smoothly between all parties involved.

A prime example of Networkers' effectiveness in crisis management was demonstrated at the University of Wollongong (UoW) during a suspected data breach incident. Leveraging the university's Data Breach Response Plan (DBRP), Networkers spearheaded efforts to maintain open channels of communication with all relevant stakeholders. This proactive approach enabled rapid engagement with key individuals and departments, facilitating an efficient and coordinated response to the incident. By effectively connecting team members and fostering collaboration, Networkers played a critical role in mitigating the impact of the crisis and ensuring a timely resolution.

Indeed, CEOs, often exhibiting traits akin to Networkers, grasp the significance of leveraging connections and sustaining open communication channels throughout the organization. In moments of crises, CEOs lean on their networking abilities to engage specialists from diverse functions and lead multi-disciplinary responses.

Technological platforms like Slack play a pivotal role in facilitating communication and collaboration, particularly for extroverted Networkers. Features such as real-time messaging, collaborative tools, and integrations empower Networkers to connect with team members, disseminate information, and coordinate responses efficiently.

In conclusion, recognizing and harnessing the social tendencies of Networkers can greatly contribute to proactive and effective team cultures, whether organizations are facing crisis situations or engaging in day-to-day collaboration. By leveraging technology platforms like Slack and promoting a culture of open communication and collaboration, organizations can navigate crises more effectively. Additionally, fostering a sense of belonging among team members enhances cohesion and resilience, enabling teams to overcome challenges and thrive in dynamic environments.