Leading Well in Uncertain Times
With the U.S. Presidential election just a few weeks away, you can feel the tension and the unease simmering just beneath the surface. Add to that the lingering emotional and physical exhaustion from Hurricane Helene that hit much of the Southeast, and nerves are, quite simply, frayed.
So in the midst of all this “swirl,” how do you lead well? How do you keep your team focused on what matters most? As in most other areas of life, a framework for decision making always helps us move forward. Here are the principles I’m working to incorporate.
Put people first.
In the very first few days of Helene’s aftermath, cell phone signals were spotty, power was out for multiple days in a row, Wi-Fi was down, and schools were cancelled. But our clients were still depending on us for mission-critical roles.
In the midst of the chaos, one of my long-time business mentors said to me, “You’ll never regret putting the person first,” and that stuck with me. Leading with humanity and empathy will always go further than you think.
In the end, we were able to give everyone the personal flexibility they needed to take care of their families and be present at home. And unsurprisingly, they all went above and beyond to take care of our clients and candidates. My takeaway is to always hire the people who will rise to the occasion!
Accept what you don’t control.
As leaders (and as a Type A entrepreneur!), we often feel the need to be in control of every situation, especially when things get chaotic. But so much of what we worry about is outside of our control, and trying to manage or fix everything can lead to burnout, frustration, and even poorer decision-making.
Instead, focus on what we can control—our response, our attitude, and the direction we give to our team. External factors, like economic shifts, natural disasters, political unrest, or an election are beyond your influence. By accepting this, you can channel your energy into areas where your actions can make a difference.
I am realizing that the art of accepting uncertainty is not passive; it's an active process of realigning my focus and energy. When you let go of what you can’t influence, you free up mental space to take meaningful action where it counts most. Analyze the options and then act.
Embrace adaptability.
In times of crisis, flexibility becomes one of the most valuable skills a leader can have. Plans may be disrupted, and expectations may shift, but our ability to adapt will make all the difference. Whether it's adjusting project timelines, revisiting priorities, or simply being open to new ideas, leading with adaptability helps keep your team steady in the face of uncertainty.
I am a huge fan of consistency and the process. But adaptability doesn't mean abandoning structure; rather, it's about finding the balance between maintaining order and being responsive to changing circumstances.
Communicate with transparency.
Uncertainty creates anxiety, which distracts from the company’s mission and vision. One of the best ways to alleviate that anxiety is through clear, transparent communication. Whether you're addressing your team, customers, or stakeholders, being upfront about what you know, what you don’t, and what you're doing about it builds trust.
Even if you don't have all the answers, honesty goes a long way in ensuring people feel secure in your leadership.
Model resilience.
Our teams will take their cues from us. If you approach challenges with a sense of calm, determination, and confidence, they'll be more likely to follow suit. Resilience doesn't mean ignoring stress or pretending everything is fine; it means acknowledging difficulties, but refusing to let them define your identity or your course.
Share how you're coping, talk openly about setbacks, and most importantly, focus on what can be done next. By modeling resilience, you encourage those around you to stay focused and push through, no matter how tough the circumstances.
Focus on the long game.
Finally, remember that tough times don’t last forever. The immediate challenges may be overwhelming, but our #1 job as leaders is to keep an eye on the long-term vision.
This doesn’t mean ignoring what’s in front of you. But we must keep revisiting our broader goals. What we do in times of uncertainty will lay the foundation for future growth.