Predictability doesn’t get much credit in communication; it’s not flashy, and it doesn’t sound strategic. But during change, predictability is what holds everything together. When people know when to expect updates, who they’ll come from, and where to find them, uncertainty has less room to grow.
Most frustration during change doesn’t come from the change itself, it comes from people being left to guess what’s happening. The timeline shifts, updates arrive in new formats, and messages jump between channels. Even small inconsistencies make it harder for people to trust what they’re hearing.
Predictability builds clarity. It tells people that leadership has a handle on the process, even when the path isn’t fully set. A steady rhythm, same cadence, same sources, same tone, helps people focus on the work instead of trying to read between the lines.
Building that rhythm takes discipline. It means updating even when there’s not much new to say, keeping the format familiar, and showing that communication won’t disappear when things get complicated. Over time, that consistency earns credibility.
People don’t expect change to be comfortable, they just need to know they won’t be left guessing.
