When it’s time to announce a change?

The business world is moving at breakneck speed. Digital transformation, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, new workspaces, or even entirely new ways of working. Change is happening faster than ever, and success depends on getting your employees on board and engaged. They need to understand why you’re making the move, and that’s where clear communication becomes essential.

Logic: a guaranteed path to success?

When we want to share an idea or convince people that change is necessary, we often lean on logic and arguments, as if being rational alone could guarantee success. More often than not, we shape our approach with one goal in mind: to counter the resistance we expect to face.

Preparation is key

Recently, I worked with a manager who had to announce the hiring of a senior HR professional into her existing team. As expected, she sensed resistance and confusion from her staff. How would she frame the news?

Here’s the exercise we did together:

• First, we nailed down strategy, place, and timing.
• Next, we crafted a clear, precise message.
• Then, we listed the themes to cover during the meeting.
• Finally, we considered the possible objections that might come up.

Give voice to their concerns

Once we had that plan, I asked her: What are your team’s concerns about bringing in this senior hire?

Three points stood out:

• People worried the hire would upset the team’s harmony.
• They wished someone internal had been promoted instead.
• Some feared losing their files or responsibilities.

With those concerns on the table, I suggested she bring them up herself at the start of the meeting to show empathy. That move cut the tension dramatically and opened the door to real listening.

Put yourself in their shoes

If you’re a manager facing a similar situation, being open mentally and physically will:

• Make your team feel heard.
• Show them you understand their reality.
• Boost your credibility.

At the end of the day, it’s about uncovering what matters to others, weighing how your decisions affect them, and then reflecting that understanding in the way you communicate.