How can you balance optimism and realism when communicating change?

Different stakeholders come with varied perspectives, and a one-size-fits-all approach can fall flat. For instance, while a team might be excited about the new tools they'll get, they might also be apprehensive about the learning curve. While it's tempting to paint an exclusively rosy picture, authenticity matters. By coupling optimism with a dose of realism, you're not only setting realistic expectations but also building trust, ensuring stakeholders feel valued and informed every step of the way.

One of the best ways to do this is to take the time to understand the pain / problems occurring today within the audience that will be solved/ improved by the change. Then when communicating, you can have empathy but also not overpromise the solution.

Change and transformation are journeys, and narratives are key. The words we use and share, socially construct the reality we inhabit. Building optimistic, forward focused narratives of success and progress are critical ingredients in change. To change, people absolutely must see the why, conveyed in a credible and believable narrative. They must have some reason to push through the discomfort and effort to change. So the narrative must be compelling, clear and relatable. The goal is sufficient excitement to move forward towards the goal, to surmount the obstacles. Speak the language and use the stories and characters of your audience, and build this narrative collaboratively with the team for deeper resonance.

As your narrative progresses, use evidence, progress & success to seed and nurture a supporting narrative of progress towards the goal. Psychologically this is called Success Focus. Amplifying and focusing on positive progress, and limiting focus on challenges. Actively look to nurture and highlight early wins, seeks these out and give them the limelight and oxygen. From small wins the confidence for bigger wins comes. As social animals we seek out validation from our peers and circle of what has value, what works and is accepted. So social proof and promoting and building this narrative is key for a sustaining change effort.

We often think these communications need to come from leadership - but they resonate much more effectively if they come from the peer level. If a peer can be real with what to expect and the benefits - it is much more relatable.

Talk and treat them like trusted peers. You don’t need to know all the answers and have everything mapped out - but by sharing the vision and the challenges, you invite others to step up to the solution.

Talk and treat them like trusted peers. You don’t need to know all the answers and have everything mapped out - but by sharing the vision and the challenges, you invite others to step up to the solution.

Approaching these situations with the Stockdale Paradox in mind is helpful. As described in Jim Collins' book "Good to Great" the Stockdale Paradox requires you to"maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and at the same time have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be." This approach leavens the overly optimistic with the overly pessimistic approaches that often come up in trying situations. Being clear eyed about your situation ensures you will make the tough decisions. Demonstrating belief gives your team a reason to work through the hard times.

Balancing optimism and realism when communicating change is like being a tightrope walker. Just as a tightrope walker maintains equilibrium while traversing a thin rope, leaders must find the right balance between optimism and realism. Start by acknowledging the challenges and obstacles on the path of change, similar to how a tightrope walker recognizes the unsteady ground below. Embrace optimism by focusing on the potential rewards and positive outcomes of the change, akin to the tightrope walker staying focused on reaching the other side. Just as a tightrope walker depends on support and encouragement, your leadership should foster a supportive environment for your team to traverse the change with confidence.

In "Blueprint (Momma Loves Me)," Jay-Z reflects on his journey, acknowledging the ups and downs of life. The song conveys a sense of authenticity and realness, emphasizing the importance of embracing the full spectrum of experiences. Similarly, when communicating change, it's essential to strike a balance between optimism and realism. Leaders should be genuine about the challenges while maintaining hope and optimism for a better future. The song's message aligns with the concept of being truthful about the hurdles of change and setting realistic expectations while also inspiring hope. Leaders should communicate change authentically, recognizing both the positive and challenging aspects, and thereby fostering trust and resilience.