Communication Quote by Harvard Business School Press
““For an example of empathy in action, consider what happened when two giant brokerage companies merged, creating redundant jobs in all their divisions. One division manager called his people together and gave a gloomy speech that emphasized the number of people who would soon be fired. The manager of another division gave his people a different kind of speech. He was up-front about his own worry and confusion, and he promised to keep people informed and to treat everyone fairly.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Harvard Business Review, 2015
A leader’s transparent, empathetic communication during layoffs builds trust and morale.
In simple terms: Honest, caring speech helps teams cope with job loss.
Key Takeaway
Practice empathetic leadership.
Themes
leadership
empathy
communication
Mood
thoughtful
empathetic
Type
leadership
inspirational
When to use this quote
- company mergers
- downsizing
- team meetings
Key Concepts
transparent dialogue
fair treatment
employee support
Questions to Reflect On
- How would you balance honesty with optimism?
- What follow‑up actions reinforce trust?
A Different Perspective
Empathy alone may not prevent job loss anxiety.
