04/14/2026
Communicating Change: The Part We Often Get Wrong
Ede Ferrari-D’Angelo, PID President Anaheim Breakfast Club
Change itself isn’t usually the hardest part…It’s how we communicate the change that makes the difference.
I’ve learned that people rarely resist change because of the plan. They resist when they feel surprised, unheard, or left behind. Successful communication during change comes down to a few simple but powerful principles:
🔹 Start early-Don’t wait until everything is finalized. Bring people along as the thinking evolves. Even a “we’re exploring” builds trust.
🔹 Honor the past while introducing the future-Especially in organizations with history, people need to know that what came before still matters. Respect opens the door to acceptance.
🔹 Be clear, but human-Facts are important. But tone matters just as much. Speak with people, not at them.
🔹 Repeat and reinforce-One message is never enough. People need time and multiple touchpoints to truly understand what’s changing and why.
🔹 Invite questions-Not as a formality, but as a genuine conversation. Questions are a sign of engagement, not resistance.
At the heart of it all is something simple: People support what they feel connected to. And connection always comes from a personal touch.
