I would approach the matter from two viewpoints. In the beginning, the goal is to provide transparency and ensure the rumor mill is kept to a minimum. Central to good leadership, in my opinion, is the principle of listening, learning, and then leading. The leaders of the integration will have a large amount of learning they will be doing despite the best efforts of due diligence. I would push leadership to ensure that they do not get out in front of their skis in their desire to grab the reins and lead the path forward. Ensuring adequate listening and learning within the process, while communicating known facts in order to keep nerves calm, is needed in order to ensure that leadership is appropriate to the facts on the ground.
