The Reality of Change in the Workplace

Organizational shifts—whether mergers, leadership changes, downsizing, or strategic pivots—can be unsettling. Studies show that nearly 70% of change initiatives fail due to resistance, lack of communication, and poor leadership (McKinsey & Company). However, the teams that thrive during transitions share common traits: adaptability, psychological safety, and strong leadership.

The Cost of Mishandling Change:

✔ Increased employee turnover

✔ Drop in engagement and motivation

✔ Loss of trust in leadership

✔ Reduced innovation and collaboration

So, how do the best teams sustain performance despite uncertainty?

Key Strategies to Keep Your Team High-Performing During Change

1. Over-Communicate, Not Under-Communicate

One of the biggest mistakes leaders make during restructuring is staying silent. Lack of information breeds uncertainty and anxiety. Keep your team in the loop with transparent updates, even if you don’t have all the answers. Use town halls, check-ins, and open forums for discussion.

For instance, when Microsoft underwent major restructuring, Satya Nadella prioritized transparent, empathetic communication—fostering trust and unity across teams.

2. Anchor in a Clear Vision

During restructuring, it’s easy for employees to feel lost. Reaffirming the team’s mission helps them stay engaged and aligned. Regularly remind your team why their work matters and how they contribute to the bigger picture.

Amazon emphasizes its customer-centric mission to maintain focus and performance through organizational shifts.

3. Strengthen Psychological Safety

Google’s research on high-performing teams found that psychological safety—a culture where employees feel safe to take risks and express ideas—is the #1 predictor of success. Encourage open dialogue, support diverse perspectives, and create a fail-forward culture.

Pixar’s creative process thrives because employees feel safe challenging ideas and offering feedback.

4. Prioritize Team Cohesion and Morale

Change can fracture team bonds. Leaders must actively invest in maintaining connection and morale. Schedule virtual or in-person team-building activities, recognition programs, and informal check-ins to maintain unity.

Google encourages ‘casual collisions’—unplanned interactions that spark creativity and collaboration.

5. Equip Your Team with Resilience Training

Resilience is a skill that can be built. Leaders who help their teams develop adaptability skills see better long-term performance. Offer workshops on stress management, adaptability, and mindset shifts to help employees navigate change proactively.

Companies like IBM invest in resilience coaching for leaders and teams during major transitions.

Turning Change Into a Competitive Advantage

Change doesn’t have to be a roadblock—it can be a launchpad. When leaders prioritize communication, vision, psychological safety, and team cohesion, teams don’t just survive change; they thrive.

Over to you now. What’s one action you can take today to help your team navigate change with confidence?

Have you experienced a major organizational shift? What strategies worked best for your team? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Want to Elevate Your Leadership? Need expert guidance on leading through change? Reach out to discuss tailored coaching and team development strategies.

To your success,

Isabel

 

Isabel Valle is an award-winning Peak Performance Strategist and global leadership coach, dedicated to helping executives and business leaders achieve sustainable success. Through her acclaimed programs like Leadership Reimagined and Lead365, Isabel equips leaders with the tools to foster innovation, build high-performing teams, and thrive in a fast-evolving world.  A sought-after speaker and author, Isabel blends data-driven insights with a human-centered approach to deliver transformative results. Learn more at www.isabelvalle.com.