> Having said that, this needs to be done carefully. Instead of pumping everyone up about a potential partnership that could fall flat, you should try to be rea

> Having said that, this needs to be done carefully. Instead of pumping everyone up about a potential partnership that could fall flat, you should try to be realistic and objective about it. “I’m really excited about a potential partnership with X. Even though this partnership will require we invest some resources doing Y, I see the possible benefits to the company as Z. From my perspective, this is a good opportunity for us. This isn’t finalized so I’ll keep you up to date on our progress. Let me know if you have any concerns or questions about this.” Yes, exactly this. It's what I meant by: > Be open, honest, and realistic. Say what you hope will come to be as a result of your actions. Be clear when things aren't set in stone. Just be transparent with what you're trying to accomplish, what the risks are, what you're uncertain about, where things are in the process, what the next few steps are, and what contingencies there are.