Leading Through Bad News: How to Lead with Clarity, Compassion, and Trust
03/27/25 • 13 min
Leading Through Bad News: How to Lead with Clarity, Compassion, and Trust
Episode Description:
How do you lead when the news is bad—layoffs, downsizing, even tragedy in the workplace?
In this episode of Things Leaders Do, Colby Morris shares three essential tools to help leaders navigate the toughest moments with clarity, compassion, and trust. Grounded in the wisdom of Brené Brown—“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”—this episode is a blueprint for delivering hard news without damaging your culture or credibility.
Whether you’re preparing for difficult conversations or leading your team through uncertainty, this episode delivers practical leadership moves you can use immediately.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to communicate bad news with honesty and empathy
- What to do when you don’t have all the answers
- How to build trust and stability when your team needs it most
- Why silence and corporate spin erode leadership credibility
- Leadership habits that preserve culture during crisis
About the Host:
Colby Morris is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and host of Things Leaders Do. He helps leaders build trust, drive performance, and lead with clarity—especially in high-stakes environments.
Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbymorris
Learn more at: nxtstepadvisors.com (That’s N-X-T, no E)
Leading Through Bad News: How to Lead with Clarity, Compassion, and Trust
Episode Description:
How do you lead when the news is bad—layoffs, downsizing, even tragedy in the workplace?
In this episode of Things Leaders Do, Colby Morris shares three essential tools to help leaders navigate the toughest moments with clarity, compassion, and trust. Grounded in the wisdom of Brené Brown—“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”—this episode is a blueprint for delivering hard news without damaging your culture or credibility.
Whether you’re preparing for difficult conversations or leading your team through uncertainty, this episode delivers practical leadership moves you can use immediately.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to communicate bad news with honesty and empathy
- What to do when you don’t have all the answers
- How to build trust and stability when your team needs it most
- Why silence and corporate spin erode leadership credibility
- Leadership habits that preserve culture during crisis
About the Host:
Colby Morris is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and host of Things Leaders Do. He helps leaders build trust, drive performance, and lead with clarity—especially in high-stakes environments.
Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbymorris
Learn more at: nxtstepadvisors.com (That’s N-X-T, no E)
Previous Episode
The Leadership Cycle: Building Trust, Relationships, and Influence for Effective Leadership
The Leadership Cycle: Building Trust, Relationships, and Influence for Effective Leadership
Episode Summary
Discover how trust, relationships, and influence form a powerful cycle that drives leadership success. In this episode, Colby Morris unpacks John Maxwell’s quote, “Leadership is influence,” and introduces the leadership cycle: trust builds relationships, and relationships earn influence. With actionable tools and real-world examples, you’ll learn how to motivate your team and lead effectively.
What You’ll Learn
- Proven leadership strategies to spark team motivation.
- How to build trust and earn influence with team motivation techniques.
- Why generic leadership fails—and how to use custom leadership approaches.
- The leadership cycle: trust → relationships → influence.
Key Takeaways
- Motivation is Personal: Use leadership tools like asking great questions to unlock your team’s drive.
- Influence is Earned: Adapt to your team’s needs and explain the ‘why’ to gain trust.
- Customize Your Leadership: Tailor your style for maximum impact on each team member.
Real Stories, Real Impact
- Jordan’s Turnaround: A drifting employee becomes a leader when Colby taps into his need for mastery.
- Sarah’s Data Win: A skeptical analyst buys into a system after a numbers-based pitch.
- Mike’s Comeback: A top performer rebounds when given room to own his process.
Leadership Moves (Try One This Week!)
- Tool #1: Ask a team member, “What drives you?”
- Tool #2: Tweak your approach to match someone’s style.
- Tool #3: Ask, “Does my leadership work for you?”
Why It Matters
Leadership isn’t a title—it’s action. This episode gives you practical leadership strategies to build trust, strengthen relationships, and earn influence for real results.
FAQ: Leadership Cycle Explained
- What is the leadership cycle?
It’s the process where trust builds relationships, and relationships earn influence—the core of effective leadership. - How does trust impact leadership?
Trust is the foundation. Without it, relationships weaken, and influence disappears.
Connect with Colby
- LinkedIn: Colby Morris
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/
- Website: nxtstepadvisors.com (N-X-T, no E)
- Want Colby to speak or coach? Hit him up on LinkedIn or the website.
Challenge
Try one tool this week. Did it build trust or boost influence? Share your story in the comments or on LinkedIn with Colby.
Subscribe & Share
Loved this? Subscribe and share it with a leader who needs it. Let’s move leadership forward!
Next Episode
Mentoring and Coaching: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
Mentoring and Coaching: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
Description:
Discover how to empower the next generation of leaders through effective mentoring and coaching in this episode of the TLD podcast! Join leadership expert Colby Morris as he reveals actionable strategies for leadership development. Learn why your true legacy as a leader lies in the leaders you nurture, not just your own successes.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to spot future leaders with high potential for growth
- A practical, step-by-step guide to impactful mentoring conversations
- The importance of real-time, honest feedback in shaping leadership skills
- Top training resources, including must-read books and courses for leaders
- Ways to set clear leadership expectations and provide ongoing support
Perfect for executives, managers, or anyone eager to enhance their leadership approach, this episode delivers practical mentoring tips and coaching strategies to build a team of confident, capable leaders. Packed with inspiring stories and expert advice, it’s your go-to resource for leadership training and development.
Connect with Colby
- LinkedIn: Colby Morris
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbymorris/
- Website: nxtstepadvisors.com (N-X-T, no E)
Want Colby to speak or coach? Hit him up on LinkedIn or the website.
Subscribe now to transform your leadership journey and start developing the next generation of leaders today!
Tags: #Leadership #Mentoring #Coaching #LeadershipDevelopment #NextGenerationLeaders
Things Leaders Do - Leading Through Bad News: How to Lead with Clarity, Compassion, and Trust
Transcript
Welcome to Things Leaders Do , the podcast that uncovers the secrets of becoming an extraordinary leader . If you're a leader who's constantly seeking growth , inspiration and tangible ways to level up your leadership , then you've come to the right place . Remember , the world needs exceptional leaders , and that leader is you . Now here's your host , colby Morris .
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