I have just been promoted to head up a long established small team (I am new to the team).
Relationships have broken down between the line manager and the rest of the staff. There is little direct communication and at present he communicates by leaving notes on desks or short direct emails.
Goodwill has been withdrawn by staff and they are becoming more disheartened i have heard several are actively job hunting but as a team are still putting out fantastic work and our clients would have no indication of the current disharmony.
I want to step in now and mediate and try to repair before things breakdown further. The staff did all previously have a great relationship with the manager and I am hoping we can try to resolve.
I want to invite staff individually to a brief chat to let them tell me their issue so we can make a plan to move forward.
Can you help me word the invitation so that it is not going to weaken the already precarious situation.
For full disclosure
I have just completed my professional qualifications in our work area and due to this got promoted to my current position. In January I will begin Management training but at the minute my skills are limited as I have only ever had to line manage two staff - no issues.
Also name changed as my previous posting history could make me identifiable and want to protect the confidentiality of the team as much as I can.