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EHS InfoLink, Inc.
Making information work for you.

Listen first.
It is often said that communication is a two-way street. Think of it
more as a two-way alley—one person at a time and you yield first.
When people are upset, their first and greatest need is to know that
they are legitimately being heard.

Don’t assume.
We often assume that we know what others’ concerns are and just as
often we are wrong. Do your research. And don’t be lulled into thinking
that no news is good news. There may be issues brewing under
the surface.

Call an ace an ace.
Be aware of the expectations you are setting with your stakeholders.
If you’re merely keeping them apprised of a situation, without
opportunity for input, don’t call it participation. The more transparent
you are, the less likely you’ll set false expectations.

Write a plan.
Resist the urge to shoot from the hip just because there is no legal requirement for preparing a plan. Like all undertakings, public
involvement requires sound planning if you want to be effective.

Shift your thinking.
Public meetings often are viewed as the first milestone of public involvement for environmental projects. Ideally, however, public
meetings should be the culmination of involvement activities.
Stakeholder outreach should occur at the outset—before decisions
are made and positions are set.