When change comes knocking at an organization’s door, leaders often focus on strategy, timelines, and outcomes.
But if you ask the people on the receiving end of change what they find most challenging? You’ll hear something else.
📊 Recently, Lumina Learning asked 171 working professionals this very question. One insight stood out loud and clear:
Communication clarity can make or break your change strategy.
I couldn’t agree more.
But here’s the nuance: it’s not just what you say. It’s how it lands.
I see this dynamic play out all the time in teams. A leader might feel confident they’ve communicated the plan. Yet their team is still confused, hesitant, or even resistant.
Why?
Because:
- Some people want detailed facts and timelines.
- Others are looking for the big-picture “why.”
- Some need quiet time to reflect and process.
- Others want clarity on everything—now.
If communication styles aren’t honored, it opens the door to misalignment, mistrust, and stalled momentum.
But when people feel seen, heard, and informed, something shifts.
They’re no longer on the outside of change—they’re part of it.
That’s where facilitation comes in. Whether you facilitate or hirer a facilitator you need to be sure:
You are inviting people to the conversation who will identify the change as well as those who will be asked to implement. Both voices are important to the plans created.
When you facilitate, make room for all the communication styles in the room. This seems like a big ask but there are facilitation courses like ToP Facilitation Methods where you can learn how to make sure all voices have the opportunity to participate.
Develop self-awareness of your communication style and help others become aware of their own. Imagine being aware of yours and other people’s communication styles. This knowledge will give you and those you are inviting to the change initiative the opportunity to adapt.
So, the next time your team is gearing up for a change initiative, pause and ask:
- How am I making room for different communication styles?
- Who might need more information—or more time?
- What might help this message land better across the board?
Because successful change doesn’t happen when people are simply told what’s happening.
It happens when they’re invited in.
Get a free personality assessment to open the door to communication styles.
