There is no rush to speak with your team members right now, except for the most mundane of circumstances, like reminding them the date of a pre-scheduled meeting.

Your team is not in your situation. Clients are safe, assets are custody at the same institution. Clients are living their lives and still think of you in exactly the same way, no matter the accusations against you. There will be a time to approach your team, but it will be on your terms, with our help, from a position of strength. We will show you how.

 

We will even make suggestions on what to wear on that day; no detail is too small in crisis management. Your tendency might be to try and set the record straight, call colleagues, meet with anyone that you believe can help you and argue your case. Please understand that this is akin to trying to get a jury foreman to reexamine your case after she just read the verdict. It is best to gather your strategic resources and win it back on appeal. It is normal right now to feel angry, sleep poorly and feel somewhat helpless. '

 

Whatever events led to your displacement, your firm has made its decision. The difference is that with us on your side, you do not have to live by that decision. Your team members may be your professional friends – your spouses may be the best of friends – but they cannot be helpful to you right now, and we urge caution in speaking with them.

 

There is a natural tendency to nudge your team to stand firmly on your side, but they are employees of the firm with huge stakes on the line. They are under much pressure to keep the ship sailing smoothly. This does not imply that they do not wish to help you, but they have no power in compliance related matters, and every word you say can and likely will be misconstrued. Avoid team members right now.