Featured in Fortune: Bill Canady on Leading with Candor During an Economic Showdown

September 2, 2025

With new tariffs and global trade policies creating anxiety for employees everywhere, the defining question for leaders isn’t if we should respond, but how. How do we navigate these crucial conversations with transparency? How do we maintain trust when the future feels unclear?

This is the central challenge I had the opportunity to discuss with Fortune magazine for a recent article. Titled, “Trump’s tariff showdown is making workers nervous. Here’s how HR leaders should talk about it at the office,” the piece explores the widespread concern tariffs are causing in the American workforce and highlights the vital role of communication from leadership.

At Arrowhead Engineered Products, we've faced this issue head-on. With a significant portion of our materials sourced from countries involved in the trade spat, our team’s concerns are valid, and they deserve to be addressed directly. As I shared with Fortune, my philosophy is rooted in candor. We believe it's vital to be upfront with our employees about the potential impacts on our business, even when the news is difficult. We don't want to surprise anyone. By being transparent about challenges and possibilities, we treat our team members as the valued partners they are.

The article delves deeper into this issue, featuring data that reveals just how prevalent these worries are—with 59% of employees citing tariffs and trade policies as their top concern. It offers valuable insights from workplace experts on why addressing the "tariff elephant in the room" is essential for maintaining morale and productivity.

In times of uncertainty, clear and honest communication isn't just a strategy—it's the foundation of great leadership. I encourage you to read the full piece in Fortune to gain a broader perspective on this critical issue facing leaders across every industry.

Read the Fortune article.

About the Author

Bill Canady

Bill Canady is a national best-selling author, Founder & CEO of The 80/20 Institute, and a global business leader known for transforming companies into high-performing, profitable enterprises. Over the course of his career, Bill has led multibillion-dollar organizations through their most critical challenges—navigating complex regulatory, investor, and media environments—while consistently delivering profitable growth.

Drawing on decades of executive experience, Bill created the Profitable Growth Operating System (PGOS), a proven framework designed to help leaders cut complexity, focus on the critical few, and accelerate growth. Through The 80/20 Institute, he and his team partner with CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs worldwide to apply the 80/20 methodology in real-world settings, unlocking revenue growth, margin expansion, and shareholder value.

As both an operator and advisor, Bill’s mission is clear: to give leaders the tools, systems, and confidence they need to achieve sustainable, profitable growth — without sacrificing focus, culture, or execution.

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