> This is a hard message for me to send
> This is one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make in my 14 years as CEO
No one asked how you feel, Drew. You'll be fine.
Emotions about the affected people, not about how hard it has been on you personally.
Emotion. But, not centered around the individual
He also mentioned taking full responsibility. That line should have been followed by how he did that. Pay reduction for himself? Upper management?
Messaging like this is for the people who are still at the company. Talking about "strategic goals" is trying to reassure them that the company isn't on verge of collapse.
Around the same time the company paid out very little of nominal bonus plan. I quit over the bonus fiasco and many other people in my area left at the same time for the same reason.