Communicating Change: The 4 Steps You Can't Skip

Making a business decision? Great. But the real work begins with how you communicate it to your team. Communicating decisions clearly and purposefully isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Here’s a simple four-step framework for ensuring your business decisions land effectively and build trust within your team.

1. Start with the “Why”

When a decision is made, begin by explaining the purpose behind it. Sharing the why gives context and connects employees to the bigger picture. Employees don’t need every detail, but they do need a basic understanding of the decision's purpose. If the why isn’t clear, people start filling in the blanks, often with negative assumptions. A clear purpose builds trust and engagement from the outset.

2. Describe Where You’re Going

After clarifying the why, paint a picture of where the organization is headed. Describe what the future will look like and why it matters. Leaders may not have a precise “blueprint” for every project, but offering a vision of what’s ahead gives people something to hold onto, especially if the change is complex or long-term. Plan for multiple check-ins to ensure alignment as the journey unfolds.

3. Outline the Plan

Once the team understands the purpose and the direction, outline the roadmap to get there. Leaders often want to jump straight into logistics—budgets, schedules, and deliverables—but those pieces only matter when the why and the destination are clear. This step brings focus, making sure that each action aligns with the vision.

4. Tell People What’s Expected of Them

This last step is the most challenging yet vital: explain what the change means for each individual. Employees want to know how the decision affects their role, and until they understand that impact, they may not fully absorb the message. Although it might take time to provide role-specific details, this step is key to ensuring employees feel informed, connected, and empowered.

At the end of the day, communicating business decisions well is about setting a clear, purposeful path and keeping lines of communication open. This isn’t a one-time effort but an ongoing process of listening, refining, and reinforcing the message.

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At Slingshot25, we’re dedicated to helping organizations create lasting change by turning decisions into actions that stick. If you’re ready to strengthen change management and foster real buy-in, reach out to us at Slingshot25.com/contact. Let's make change happen together.