“We’re excited about what’s ahead!” 

Sound familiar? If you’re leading with this — and budget cuts or restructuring are happening behind the scenes — your team isn’t buying it. 

The stakes for internal communication are high, and the margin for error is thin. Here are 3 common missteps we see leaders make when the pressure’s on (especially during uncertain economic times). 

❌ Mistake #1: “Everything’s fine.” 

• Why it fails: Overly positive language during challenging times makes leaders seem out of touch — or worse, dishonest. 

• Say this instead: “We’re facing some tough choices. Here’s how we’re thinking about them — and how we’ll keep you in the loop.” 

❌ Mistake #2: Saying nothing. 

• Why it fails: Silence breeds fear. When people don’t hear from leaders, they assume the worst. 

• Say this instead: “We don’t have all the answers yet, but we’ll share updates weekly — even if it’s just to say we’re still working through it.”

❌ Mistake #3: Leading with empathy, but no plan. 

• Why it fails: “We care about you” feels hollow without specifics. Words without action erode trust. 

• Say this instead: “We know this impacts you — here’s how we’ll support the team and what changes we’ve planned.”

Downturns don’t just test your business — they test employees’ trust in leadership. In uncertain times, clarity is your greatest asset.