As the economy shifts gears, companies reorganize, and mass layoffs proliferate, leaders are
increasingly responsible for conveying hard messages to their firms. Thoughtful leaders are asking: how can bad news be delivered in a way that is honest, respectful, and compassionate?

Knowing that tough news is almost always perceived as negative, leaders must develop the skill of
reframing difficult change as not necessarily negative, while also acknowledging the stressful moment.

While rightsizing is a continuous improvement process, the impact on staff – especially in the tech and finance sectors, with their many layoffs – is currently causing much anxiety. In the last few weeks Microsoft communicated to cut 10,000 jobs, or roughly 5 percent of its work force. Google will cut 12,000 jobs, or about 6 percent of its total.