The World Health Organization first declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11th, 2020. Since then, governments around the world have set in place varying lockdown measures which have sought to flatten the curve and limit the virus’ spread. These mandates and the reverberations of COVID’s impact have affected nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives. As a result, there has also been apparent shifts in the ways we communicate and interact with each other in professional settings.

In these uncertain times one thing is clear: now more than ever, it is essential to adhere to the principles of good communication. For professionals and business leaders seeking to facilitate positive, effective communications in the midst of this pandemic, Sean Aloise, a Communications and Special Projects Manager at University of California, San Francisco, Campus Life Services Facilities Services, has compiled these key tips on effective communication during COVID-19.

Word Choice is Key

During this turbulent era, the people you interact with are more likely than ever to read into your message, increasing the possibility of misunderstandings. This is especially true for those in leadership positions; in times of chaos and uncertainty, we cling to the words of our superiors. That is why Sean Aloise reminds department heads, team leaders, and anyone in a leadership position to think critically about their word choice when communicating in the current climate.

Take care to use words that are accurate, concise, and not inflammatory. In your efforts to be supportive, edit your language to minimize the possibility of sounding condescending. There is a fine line between a message that will be received well and one that will be misread and misinterpreted; often, that difference is the matter of a single word—so choose mindfully and communicate conscientiously.

Prioritize Clarity

COVID-19 has created a climate of uncertainty and distress. In these conditions, the people we communicate with are far less likely to be able to grasp nuances and subtlety. That is why Sean Aloise recommends working to eliminate them both from your day-to-day interactions.

As much as possible, focus on delivering your messages with clarity and precision. Convey your thoughts, ideas, and mandates in clear, concrete terms. The more unambiguous and straightforward you can be with the words you choose and how you deliver them, the more likely it is that your message will be received and understood.

Focus on the Facts

COVID-19 has directly impacted every facet of our lives; in doing so, it has also taken over our conversations. Chances are that the majority of your day-to-day interactions include some mention of the virus or its impact. While information sharing can be beneficial, Sean Aloise warns against making conjectures or spreading rumors.

Conjecture and opinions only serve to increase anxieties and further dilute the truth. When something becomes as talked about as COVID, it can be hard to sort fact from speculation. In place of sharing guesses or opinions, leadership communication should focus 100% on the facts.

If you need credible information on the pandemic or its impact, seek out information distributed by trusted organizations like the CDC and WHO—both of which regularly publish public research-backed statistics that can help keep you and your organization informed.

Practice Empathy

COVID-19 calls for communication tactics that focus on the facts, but that does not mean you have to be cold or insensitive in your professional interactions. Instead, Sean Aloise recommends that leaders take care to approach their professional interactions with a little extra empathy.

In some shape or form, this pandemic has upended everyone’s lives. With feelings of uncertainty and financial instability rampant, it is important to make genuine efforts to connect with and reassure those in your professional circles.

Sean Aloise recommends that team leaders facilitate regular check-ins, inquire earnestly about the wellbeing of team members, practice transparency in sharing, and listen diligently. You may not be able to change individual circumstances, but acknowledging each other’s struggles will facilitate empathetic bonds that can make coping with this difficult time just a little bit easier.