The Stories We Tell Ourselves When We Don’t Have the Full Picture

When I was a little girl growing up in New York, I thought I had Santa Claus all figured out. Jewish homes like ours didn’t have chimneys, so naturally, Santa knew to skip us. It made perfect sense to my young mind—until it didn’t.

A few years later, my family moved to California. For a short time, we lived in a townhome with no fireplace, which reinforced my theory. But then we moved again, this time to a house with not one, but two fireplaces. Suddenly, my entire belief system was thrown into chaos. Were we no longer Jewish? Why would we have fireplaces if Santa wasn’t supposed to visit?

I vividly remember asking my mom if we were still Jewish. She looked at me like I was nuts. I explained my reasoning, and after a brief pause, she responded, “Jenny, there’s no such thing as Santa Claus.”

In that moment, a flood of realizations hit me. But the core of it was this: In the absence of information, I had created a story that made sense to me. And as funny as it is to think about now, it’s a behavior we never really outgrow.

The Stories We Create in the Absence of Information

When people don’t have all the facts, they fill in the blanks with their own interpretations. It’s human nature. In a professional setting, though, these assumptions can lead to misalignment, confusion, or even mistrust.

I see this all the time in organizations—especially in times of change, like the start of a new year. Teams want to know what’s coming next. They want clarity about priorities, expectations, and their role in the bigger picture. When leaders fail to communicate openly, employees and stakeholders fill the silence with their own narratives. And these narratives aren’t always accurate—or productive.

The Leadership Lesson: Be Proactive in Sharing Information

A key leadership insight I've gained is that communication goes beyond addressing issues or delivering positive updates. It's about fostering a setting where individuals feel knowledgeable, engaged, and assured about the future direction.

Here are some practical ways leaders can keep employees and stakeholders in the loop—especially as we kick off a new year:

1. Set Clear Goals and Priorities Early

Start the year by clearly articulating your organization’s goals and priorities. Whether it’s in a company-wide meeting, a detailed email, or a series of smaller team huddles, make sure everyone understands the “why” behind your objectives. Bonus points if you tie these goals to the broader mission and vision of your organization.

2. Create a Regular Cadence for Updates

Uncertainty grows in silence. Establish a rhythm for sharing updates—weekly newsletters, biweekly town halls, or monthly Q&A sessions. These touchpoints don’t have to be elaborate; they just need to happen consistently. Over time, your team will come to rely on these updates as a source of clarity and reassurance.

3. Invite Questions and Feedback

One-way communication can leave employees feeling like passive observers rather than active participants. Create opportunities for dialogue. This could be an anonymous survey, a live Q&A during meetings, or an open-door policy (virtual or in person). When people feel heard, they’re less likely to fill in the blanks with inaccurate stories.

4. Leverage Technology to Share Information Transparently

Platforms like Slack, Notion, or Microsoft Teams can act as centralized hubs for updates, resources, and progress tracking. For example, consider creating a shared dashboard where employees can see how the company is tracking toward key goals. Transparency builds trust, and trust leads to better collaboration.

5. Be Honest, Even When the News Isn’t Great

This might be the hardest tip to implement, but it’s also the most important. Employees value honesty over vague reassurances. If there are challenges ahead, be upfront about them. Share what you know, what you don’t know yet, and how you plan to tackle the uncertainties. When people trust your transparency, they’re more likely to rally together to overcome obstacles.

6. Celebrate Milestones Along the Way

As the year progresses, don’t forget to communicate wins—big and small. Recognizing progress not only reinforces your goals but also reminds your team why their work matters. It’s a powerful way to keep people engaged and motivated.

The Power of Clear Communication

Thinking back to that childhood memory of Santa and fireplaces, I realize the significant impact of just being honest. My mom’s honesty—while it may have shattered my carefully constructed Santa theory—gave me the clarity I needed. It also helped me see that sometimes, the stories we create aren’t just amusing—they can hold us back from understanding reality.

As leaders, we owe it to our teams to eliminate the guesswork. By communicating openly, proactively, and consistently, we empower people to focus on what truly matters: achieving their goals and contributing to the collective success of the organization.

Here’s to a new year filled with clarity, connection, and collaboration.