Transparency. The trust builder you need during change

I’ve been thinking a lot about the amount of change (read: chaos) we’re bearing witness to in this season. I know change is always happening, but right now, it seems like A LOT.

• Thousands of people getting laid off from companies once considered stable.
• Creatives navigating the rise of AI and what it means for their work.
• Leaders trying to “fix” culture by removing employee flexibility instead of listening.

Heraclitus once said, “The only constant is change,” and in that he said a word.

That is and will always be true. If change is a driver, uncertainty is the ever-present passenger. And when uncertainty shows up, it amplifies everything: questions, assumptions, anxieties, and even the stories people tell themselves when information is missing (Communication folks, Uncertainty Reduction Theory, am I right?). That’s why transparency isn’t just a communication tactic. It’s a trust‑building strategy.

When leaders communicate openly during change, they give people something to hold onto: clarity. Clarity creates stability, and stability builds trust. Transparency doesn’t mean having all the answers, but it requires honesty about what you know, don’t know, and what you’re working toward.

Communicating clearly with intention and with one voice is so important. Providing context and the “why” behind decisions that affect humans at every level is vital and respectful. Acknowledging concerns and answering questions consistently may not solve every issue, but it will definitely quell anxiety.

𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸.

When employees understand what’s happening and why, they feel respected. When they feel respected, they stay engaged. And when they stay engaged, they help carry the organization through the very change that once felt overwhelming. The alternative is the slow erosion of the very culture you’re trying to protect.

If you’re looking to strengthen trust and engagement during times of change, this is where strong communication makes the difference. It’s the work I love - helping leaders communicate with clarity, empathy, and intention so their teams feel informed and valued.