Change doesn’t break organizations.
Silence during change does.
When companies go through acquisitions, restructures, leadership transitions, or rapid growth, leaders often focus on strategy, timelines, and execution. But employees focus on something very different:
Uncertainty.
They wonder what will happen to their role, their team, and their future. And when answers don’t come quickly enough, they fill the gaps themselves, with assumptions, rumors, and anxiety.
The cost of that uncertainty is measurable. Gallup research shows that only one in three employees strongly agree their leaders communicate effectively during change.
Jerrell Moore, Chief Human Resources Officer, said it’s almost impossible to eliminate uncertainty during change. Instead, it should be about empowering employees through minimizing helplessness.
“Employees don’t expect leaders to have every answer,” he explained. “What they need is clarity, voice, and a sense that they still have influence.”
Organizations that understand this shift strengthen trust through it.
Communication must be frequent, not perfect
One of the biggest leadership mistakes during major change is waiting until leaders have fully formed answers before communicating.
Moore said this delay often creates more anxiety than transparency would.
“Leaders sometimes hold back because they want to communicate only when everything is finalized,” he stated. “But employees interpret silence as avoidance.”
Research from McKinsey supports this. Organizations that communicate openly and consistently during transformation efforts are significantly more likely to succeed in achieving their goals.
The key isn’t perfection.
It’s presence.
Employees want to hear what leaders know, what they don’t know, and what decisions are still in progress.
That level of transparency creates psychological stability, even when outcomes remain uncertain.
This was published on Inc.com first.
Click the Inc.com link to read the full article: https://www.inc.com/netta-jenkins/how-leaders-can-reduce-uncertainty-during-organizational-change/91323884
About the Author
From securing an $8M breakthrough inside a global fintech to being named CEO of the very platform she built, Netta Jenkins has mastered the art of turning bold ideas into lasting business transformation. With a LinkedIn community of over 200,000, she’s the CEO redefining how organizations drive employee engagement and performance through AI. A two-time Wiley author, Netta’s work has been amplified by Arianna Huffington to more than 10 million people. Her latest book, Supercharged Teams: How Every Manager Can Create a Culture of Excellence, gives leaders the playbook to transform everyday teams into high-performing powerhouses.
As founder of HIC, a workplace consulting firm and creator of HIC HR Hub, a private community for senior HR leaders to share and gain new insights. She also hosts Beyond Management™, a viral LinkedIn leadership series with over 50 million impressions, where she sparks street-level conversations that elevate employer brands, attract top talent, and inspire customers. A seasoned TEDx and international keynote speaker, Netta has energized audiences across the U.S., Ghana, the Netherlands, and Turkey with bold insights and measurable takeaways. With 15+ years of global advisory experience, she shares weekly video tips that empower managers at every level. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, McKinsey, Forbes, Fortune, and more. Named one of CIO Views’ Top 10 Most Influential Black Women in Business to Follow.
Netta helps organizations connect workplace culture, technology, and performance to deliver measurable, lasting impact. Previously serving as VP of Global Inclusive Strategy at IAC, Netta partnered with brands like Match.com, Vimeo, and Daily Beast. She advises Betterment, consults executives via the Intro app, and is pursuing a doctorate in quality systems. Currently, she collaborates with Marc Lore (former CEO of Walmart) and Preet Bharara (former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York) to build Telosa, a visionary new city in America. Residing on the East Coast with her family, Netta continues to make a transformative impact in both the corporate and startup landscapes.
