Author: Katy Goshtasbi

To many, the business world seems unstable these days.   AI adds to this sense of instability, often creating a scarcity mentality in business.

Everyone is scrambling to get more business and keep their clients.  I have a not-so technical term for this: “icky desperation”. 

As a result of my years of coaching leaders, here’s a two tier problem (and trend) I see with senior leaders in the legal and business world:

Problem #1: You’re making LOTS of money as an elite leader/managing partner.  And you are numb inside.  Unfulfilled.  You have to pay for your children’s Ivy League education.  You have a huge mortgage.  Maybe your spouse/partner is disengaged from you.  Maybe the best part of your day is the drive back and forth between home and the office.  You are stuck at work, feeling trapped and terrified at the thought of wanting to leave your lucrative career and job.

Problem #2: There will likely come a time in 2026 when three of your senior leaders/associates will leave and you won’t expect it.  I call this your $3 million problem.

Do you have the first problem?  

If not, then you will likely have the second problem… if you already haven’t had it.  Here’s some data to consider.

Replacing a senior leader costs 3 to 4 times their annual salary. That’s what shows up on the balance sheet. A million dollars plus per leader you replace.

What doesn’t show up is far more dangerous.

Client trust evaporates. Institutional knowledge disappears. Strategic initiatives stall. And when one respected leader leaves, others begin quietly reassessing their own future.

I know this from the inside.

After a decade as a securities attorney – including roles at the SEC and top firms in Washington, DC – I had what most would call a successful career. Credentials. Compensation. Status.

And then I left.

No warning. No dramatic exit. No counteroffer conversation. I was simply done.

Over the last 18 years, working with CEOs, lawyers, executives, and leadership teams across industries, I have learned that my story is not the exception – it’s the pattern.

Senior leaders rarely announce they’re thinking of leaving. They disengage quietly. They keep performing. They stop imagining a future. By the time organizations and law firms notice, the decision has already been made.

Why This Is A Problem (Your Problem?) in 2026

“I’ve Got This”

Here’s what I’ve seen.  Both the problems I noted above start with a very specific mentality.  Some of the most successful lawyers and leaders have an “I’ve got this” mindset.  They think, “I don’t need help, I got this no matter what.”  

I was that person, too.  I had an immigrant mentality where I felt like I had to prove myself constantly as a lawyer (and as a human).  Law school added fuel to this fire, engaging my unhealthy competitive side and leading me to view “rest” as stupid and useless.  I would sleep when I was dead, I wrongly thought. I felt I had no other skillset other than lawyering.  I had to do it all.  “I’ve got this” was my mantra.  Turns out, I didn’t “got this”. 

If this is you, or those you lead, this mentality will get in your way of being profitable in 2026 because:

1. The least effective law firms and companies are getting all the business because they know how to use social media and be noisy online without a real brand in the short term.  Meanwhile, some extraordinary companies and law firms are going under because they haven’t learned how to stand out by being a unique brand.  You weren’t trained in school how to do this. You’ve been swayed for years now by online ‘slop’ when being unique (even weird) always wins out as a solid, long-term strategy to defeat the noise online.  You haven’t stopped to notice this nasty trend, because you’re too busy doing and producing.  After all, you’ve “got this”. 
   
2. If you are anything like I was, you’re a hustler deep down.  This mindset of “I’ve got this” got you here AND this mindset won’t help you finish 2026 successfully.  It will only lead you to one place: burnout.  You, or your senior leaders, will keep going until it’s physically impossible to go anymore.  Then comes the exit, resignation, quitting. That’s what happened to me.  I promise it’s every leader’s destiny (and that of those senior leaders you lead) unless you commit to doing things differently.  Start today.

The Solution

With a background in branding and marketing, I’ve been working for years with industry leader clients on standing out and owning their uniqueness using one of the most successful ways of running a business that has been forgotten: word of mouth.  

Word of mouth is extraordinary.  It’s how business has been done for thousands of years.  To do so effectively, centers around a strategy for each individual leader’s brand uniqueness.  

Identifying a leader’s uniqueness leads to a strong brand position and strategy.  This brand position and strategy solves problem #1 and problem #2 noted above: knowing their uniqueness as a leader leaves them more fulfilled and in action, allowing them to see a future in their career and business.  They won’t want to leave their job.  They won’t burn out. And if they do want to leave their job, they will be empowered and will give proper notice helping your organization or law firm to avoid the $3 million problem.

There are very powerful tools to build a word of mouth business branded around your senior leaders’ uniqueness.

Here’s an easy place to start. Consider:

Stop.  Take a minute and be really honest with yourself.  Do you have some version of problem #1 or problem #2 above?  Do you have both problems?  There is no right or wrong answer.  Just honest reflection right now.

Next, stop and consider if your senior leaders have the following tools and strategies mastered. Have your senior leaders:

• Tapped into who they are and what makes them unique.  Even those things they once considered “weird” about themselves are their uniqueness and what sophisticated business clients will pay good money for in their lawyer and senior level executive service provider.  

Ask them to make a list of what they believe is unique about them. HINT: being a “good” lawyer or executive by delivering results is NOT their uniqueness.  Those are just the baseline of acceptable delivery of services and goods.

• Do they know how to employ support and resources.   This is key. they don’t have to do this alone.  They shouldn’t do this alone.  Their expertise lies elsewhere.  If they keep doing this on their own, they are losing time that could be billable to clients.  There are resources and tools to complement them in word of mouth marketing and branding.  

If they believe that word of mouth could be your law firm or company’s best strategy then your senior leaders need to be willing to employ their network and ask for help.  Are they willing? If so, have them make a list of the resources they have at their disposal. They need to list everything, even if they feel it is minor.  These resources could range from receptionists to nutritionists to coaches to books.

Congratulations.  You, as a managing partner and elite leader in your organization, just started to take the first steps in doing what successful lawyers and leaders are doing in 2026 to prosper in business.  This solid strategy is foundational and stands the test of time.

In summary, as managing partners in law or elite leaders in organizations, two main problems arise: either you are wealthy, numb and stuck in your role and career OR you have an attrition crisis where your senior associates/staff are leaving you unexpectedly creating a $3 million dollar dilemma.  

Or… you may have both problems.

You have these two problems because you and your senior team of leaders likely have the “I’ve got this” mentality, buried and distracted in work minutiae and suffering from some level of burnout.  In the short term, other less effective companies and law firms are taking advantage and taking away your business with online slop. You’re too busy playing their messy online game and missing the better strategy. Or maybe you aren’t even in the game.

The solution rests in stepping back and going back to the centuries old, tried and true way of building a successful law firm or business:  a word of mouth marketing strategy built on the unique brand of each leader. But first you, as the elite leader, must stop and see what your senior team members are up to.

Are you in or will you keep suffering the consequences?

Clarity in One Conversation

You don’t need more information. You need the right next step. Contact me and let’s find it.

As an immigrant fleeing a war-torn Iran in 1979, I grew up with real “fear” in my life. There were decades where I was afraid to say out loud where I was born for fear of being judged. This fear showed up in all aspects of my life- my friendships, my family relationships, my career. 

I adapted every part of my life to fit in and not stand out. I went to law school and became a successful investment management lawyer, denying my “female” in order to fit into a male world. I shunned who I truly was. I played small. 

I had no idea what embracing my feminine energy really meant. What would it mean to be a well-balanced woman who could hold positive masculine energy in her body and soul AND display her divine feminine energy…at the same time, in harmony? 

I didn’t even know enough to ask this question. I had never even seen assertiveness role modeled by a woman as I grew up. All I knew was aggression as a form of female “power”. 

While most would say I am an incredibly courageous woman, I had no idea what courage really meant for me. I often worried that if I stepped into my power and was assertive and direct, I would end up hurting people. Being born in Iran, despite not being Muslim, I learned that being a self-expressed woman is not allowed. Add to this, growing up as a young investment management lawyer in a man’s world where the legal industry rules and standards kept me “in my place”.

Courage seemed like an unreal word that would never be a part of my reality. 

Until one day, I was sick and tired of my own silly lies that kept me from my purpose and potential. I knew I had big things to do in the world. I knew I was being a chicken sh*t, hiding while others could benefit from my wisdom and power.  

For 2026, my word of the year is “courage”.

I decided that I am only as courageous as I say I am and that so many people would appreciate and benefit from the gift of experiencing my live coaching because of my courage.

Recently, I spent seven days in London where I had to face all my fears. These were not the fears you would think of, like fear of small spaces (although I did get stuck in an elevator when the power went out briefly), or fear of heights. These fears were about owning my greatness and showing up in a capacity that would transform those around me. These fears involved harmonizing and balancing my female and masculine energies. About letting go of my old stories that kept me safe and playing small…about surrendering with trust to a path in my life that was undefined and yet….so clear.

I felt like I was in a pressure cooker for most of the week- stewing, seething, stuck in my old comfortable ways and dying to embrace my courage. What was I doing? Who cares. All that matters is that I was scared and I still showed up and transformed in service of everyone I know- including myself.

Each day in London, I found myself shedding more fears and trusting in my intuition and what I knew in my soul to be the real me. It felt like I was clearing up generational trauma.

Was it easy? NO. I cried, I had many sweaty conversations. I lost my appetite and sometimes felt SO needy. Was it simple? In the end, it is simple to be our genuine selves. 

What does this mean for you? Stop and consider:

• Where in your life are you playing small? You may know you are playing small when you wake up frustrated or irritable often, wondering what else there is to your life.
• Do you ever feel like your voice is not being heard, even like you are suffocating? Where do you feel it in your body?
• Maybe you actually don’t use your voice and people tell you that you speak too “softly” or are quiet more often than you’d like. If this is your pattern, then you are ready to step up into your greatness, too.
• If you are a woman in a man’s profession, do you feel like you’re losing who you are or maybe you never knew who you were as a woman?
• Do you have some fears that embarrass you? You would be mortified if others knew what you fear and how often you are in a state of fear? 
• Are you ultra-high net worth where your legacy is at stake and you’re not sure how to leave a brave, solid legacy for your children and grandchildren? Believe it or not, this is an expression of fear and holding back your power, too.

What’s one small step you can take to identify, if not embrace, your fear?

“This article was first published in the ABA Law Practice Division Webzine on January 15, 2026”.

The holiday season can seem so busy for us that by the time January rolls around, we are often a combination of: exhausted, hopeful, rested and oftentimes ….lonely.  This is true no matter your practice area or career trajectory.

I liken January to the experience I’ve had when a loved one gets married or passes: there’s a rush of activity with lots of guests in town over a short period of time.  There’s no time to process emotions or feelings.  It’s just a flurry of activity.  

Then all of a sudden, the event passes, guests depart and it gets very quiet.  That’s the time when we can experience deep loneliness because there’s all this space for our emotions and feelings.  The rush of the adrenaline is gone and we are left alone with our thoughts and past experiences.  Sometimes for me, the thoughts are refreshing and a calming stroll down memory lane.  Other times, they are painful and constricting.  

January can feel like this for many of us as we search for a new beginning in our practices and lives.  Let’s talk about loneliness and how to leverage it for success in 2026 starting now.

What is loneliness?

Loneliness is often defined as “an emotional state resulting from a perceived gap between one’s desired and actual social connections.”  

Left unchecked, loneliness has real health consequences that can and will keep us from our practice.  These health challenges include depression, mental health challenges, cognitive impairment, personality disorders and suicide.

Let’s break down loneliness using the definition.

Emotional State:  Anytime we choose to feel lonely, we are experiencing an emotion.  That emotion can be anything like anger, sadness, fear, guilt, shame, or hurt.  

Perceived: Your perception is your reality.  What you choose to see as real for you in the moment, including any negative emotions and gaps between what you want and what you have, are how you are experiencing your reality.  This includes interactions with your clients, colleagues, associates, bench, bar and family.  

Connections: Connection is the feeling of being seen, understood, heard and valued.  

How to use loneliness as a tool to create a magnificent 2026 starting now.

Based on the definition we just broke down, here are three steps to take in order to create a magnificent new beginning to 2026, personally and professionally.

Step 1: Be in charge of your emotional state

This process is asking you to reflect and build up your muscle associated with being more emotionally intelligent.  Emotionally intelligent people win.  Always.  As an emotionally intelligent lawyer, you will make more money, attract better clients and opportunities, stress less and live a more authentic, happy life.  

The good news is that emotions are merely data giving you information about what’s transpiring in your life.  Emotions are your energy in motion. Emotions are transitory and will pass, even those negative emotions that feel they will linger forever.  How?

For most of us, we tend to try to escape what doesn’t feel good.  My personal favorite escape route used to be excessive eating and shopping as a means to flee my negative emotions.   But those excessive activities never made my negative emotions go away- they just increased my anxiety because I knew the negative emotion was still there and that I had to face it at some point.    On top of that, I now was feeling shame (another negative emotion) for overeating and overshopping. 

Try this: Pick one day, ideally a weekend day when you are not so rushed.  Find a spot to sit.  A spot in nature would be ideal.  Close your eyes, take three deep breaths and look inward for any negative emotions in that moment.  When you find one, don’t run from your negative emotions  by keeping your head buried in your work, drinking, overeating, or doing anything to excess.  What you resist, persists.  Stay very self-aware of how you feel and notice if you were triggered by an event that caused you to feel that particular negative emotion.  Then just sit with the negative emotion some more.  I promise you have done harder things, including going to law school.  The longer you sit with it, the more you will notice the negative emotions subsiding.  Now you are in control.  Keep doing this and build your muscle for success.  

Step 2: Change your perceptions

The key to allowing your emotions to pass with grace so you can stay focused, congruent and in action is to realize that you are choosing a particular perception inducing lack in that moment.  To me, this knowledge is very empowering because I get to choose again.  As lawyers we do some version of this at work everyday when we are analyzing the law.  

For example, if you compare yourself to someone with whom you went to law school and think that they have a better career, job, family and overall life, this comparison may trigger a sense of sadness or shame leaving you feeling you lack connections in your life.  Here’s where you can stay self aware and reframe this sense of lack and perceive it as a challenge or opportunity to choose to see the situation differently.  Maybe you deliberately chose your practice area and practice setting to align with your talents, strengths or desires?  Maybe you are getting out of a relationship (personal or professional) and are using the time to ground, regroup and come back stronger?  Regardless, you have an opportunity to be empowered by how you choose to view the situation. 

Try this: Stay self-aware and anytime you feel a negative emotion based on a perceived gap between what you want and what you have, know that you are empowered to choose a new interpretation thereby narrowing the gap.  Start with something small and build your muscle with this skill over time.  

Step 3: Choose connection

Connections happen when we have relationships that are meaningful to us individually.  As I explain in my latest book, when we are lonely we are really craving connection.  The first connection you crave is connection with yourself, whether you know it or not.  

As I share in my latest book, Emotional Resonance Factor®, “[w]hen you elicit, master and activate your emotional resonance, connecting with anyone is easier, more natural, and effective. You just show up and people are attracted to you.” 

Try this: Look to pets and animals for connection.  They are often a natural gateway to connection because they give unconditional love.  To gain connection, you can also give to others who may be in need, whether that’s a charity or a fellow lawyer struggling with something.  When you give, you become empowered and feel the oneness with the world that we all inhabit. 

Wherever you are in your practice journey, know that you are not alone. Loneliness is a real challenge for everyone, especially when we ignore it and the ensuing emotions.  Confronting, sitting with, and making peace with your emotions signaling loneliness will boost your emotional intelligence, allowing you to emotionally resonate better with your world.  The results include you feeling more like yourself, sleeping better, and stepping into the new year empowered, knowing that you are setting yourself up for a fresh, thriving practice congruent with your soul.  

Katy Goshtasbi is a former investment management attorney turned coach to high performing leaders and lawyers.  She is a featured keynote speaker on the topic of emotional intelligence and leadership.  Her latest book is “Emotional Resonance Factor®:The Secrets to Owning Your Good Enough.” She is a former Chair of the ABA Law Practice Division where she founded the ABA Lawyer Retreat.  She lives in San Diego where Katy and her husband founded Josie’s Home, a nonprofit devoted to aging dogs, seniors, and aged-out foster youth.

Not long ago, I attended the Content Marketing World (CMW) National Conference. This time not as a speaker, but as a guest of a former client who’s now a regular on their stage.

I expected to meet some remarkable people. And I did. What I didn’t expect was to gain such clear insight into how I can help content marketers elevate their results and deepen the impact of their work.

After sitting through just two breakout sessions, something clicked.

Each conversation circled back to one powerful truth: emotions drive connection, and connection drives business. The presenters emphasized how emotional storytelling shapes stronger brands; stories that reflect not just products or services, but the humanity behind them. When your audience feels something genuine, they lean in. They remember. And they buy.

Here’s where it gets interesting.

That level of authenticity requires something many organizations overlook: leaders who are willing to be seen. CEOs, founders, and executives must open up, share their stories, and allow their teams to craft campaigns that show the real person behind the brand. Often, that happens on video, where tone, presence, and vulnerability can’t be faked.

But during Q&A, a familiar challenge surfaced again and again:

“What if I can’t convince our clients/executives to market this way? What if they’re disconnected from their own emotions?”

That’s exactly where my Breakthrough Session (BTS) comes in.

Let’s be honest, most people are numb to some degree. A BTS is designed to quickly and effectively help clients identify the emotional blocks holding them back and release them.

The result? Greater clarity, confidence, and openness.

When leaders experience this shift, everything changes. They show up on camera differently; authentic, grounded, and relatable. Campaigns start to resonate. Audiences respond. And results follow naturally.

Now, you may think that you don’t have that kind of power over a CEO; to get them to see the need for a BTS. Maybe you even think that you may insult them if you suggest a BTS. Good news! You don’t suggest a BTS because you think someone is broken. NO one is broken. You suggest a BTS in the same way you would suggest any other tool to your clients, like making a good video. You use your expertise in marketing to suggest a BTS for them to connect, sell and grow the business. Why? Because an effective BTS speeds up the connection, sales and growth process.

A BTS is a smart business tool. For example, one CEO client didn’t feel committed to his 30,000+ employees, his family or his life. After his first BTS with me, he started showing up differently: he sent email replies to his team faster, was kinder and more patient in meetings, more fun at home and at work. His staff started noticing his compassion and his deep listening. As a result, his team started showing up more committed. The company marketing output began to deeply emotionally resonate. Sales went up.

I explore this process in depth in my latest book, The Emotional Resonance Factor®, available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats.

Because when your message connects emotionally, your marketing stops being noise and starts becoming influence.

You know, I used to have a rule: No connecting flights. Ever. If I couldn’t get somewhere directly, I simply didn’t go. Life felt too full, too busy, too precious for layovers and delays.

But sometimes… something calls you so deeply that you break your own rules.

That “something” recently took me all the way to Vermont to record the audiobook version of my book, “Emotional Resonance Factor®.” And honestly? It became more than a trip. It turned into a pilgrimage. A sacred journey. One that surprised me, moved me, and-if I may be bold-healed something inside me. And maybe, as you read or listen, it will awaken something inside you, too.

Let me take you there, just for a moment. Maybe you can even imagine yourself alongside me.

Day 1: The Grounding

Imagine this: after a 10-hour delay (yes, ten), I finally arrive in Vermont. It’s late, I’m exhausted, but there’s a quiet pulse in the air. A sense of calm. Of readiness.

The next morning, despite jetlag, I bounce out of bed with anticipation buzzing in my body. Stepping out onto the back patio of the rental house, nestled deep in the Vermont mountains, I feel something shift.

Have you ever felt land that holds you? That says, “You’re safe. You belong here”. That’s what Vermont did. I could feel the ground beneath my feet speak to me: “You’re okay. You’re supported. Let’s begin”.

At the studio, I warm up-tea with Manuka honey in one hand, a wine cork in the other (a quirky but genius vocal warm-up tool!). And then it begins…

The headset goes on. I step into the booth. And suddenly, I’m not just reading my book-I’m inhabiting it. I’m speaking to you, to the women I wrote this for. To the men who walk beside us. I’m not just narrating. I’m storytelling, Soul-telling.

Then something unexpected happens…

I reach the dedication and… I choke up. I can’t speak. Emotion swells. My heart leads, not my voice.

And later, when I read the words that remind my readers of their strength, of their worthiness-it wrecks me. In the best way. I had to pause, breathe, feel. It was as if I were talking directly to someone who desperately needed to hear those exact words, in that exact moment.

Maybe that someone was…me, too.

Day 2: The Deepening

Day Two arrives, and with it, clarity. I know what’s coming. I welcome it.

Tea. Honey. Cork. Check. Headset on. Let’s go.

And this time, I can see her clearly-the woman I’m speaking to. Maybe she’s an executive, running hard and fast, juggling a hundred delicate spinning plates. Career, kids, partner, aging parents, a team to lead, a heart to protect.

I read to her. With compassion, with sisterhood. I want her to feel held. I want her to remember who she is.

And I think of the men, too-the ones who love us, support us, see us. My own husband’s face flashes before me. These men who are strong enough to lift women up, not hold us back. This book is for them, too.

As I read the final lines, I tear up again. Not from exhaustion-but from gratitude. For you. For anyone who picks up this book or listens to my voice and lets me into their world.

Because when you do, you’re giving me your time, your trust, your attention-and that is sacred.

Day 3: The Integration

Day Three is just for pick-ups-little sound edits. But the energy has shifted. Something’s landed.

We celebrate. We laugh. We breathe in the mountain air.

And as I walk out of the studio for the last time, I feel… peaceful. Proud. Changed.

This audiobook wasn’t just a product. It was a process. A ceremony. A love letter.

And maybe, just maybe, if you ever feel a whisper calling you to write your own book or share your voice in some way, I hope you’ll listen. Because of this journey? It’s transformative.

And trust me-your story matters. You matter.

With love,

Katy

P.S. If you ever need a reminder that you are powerful, that your words matter, and that your soul is so worthy of being seen-come back to this. Or better yet, let me read to you.

Want to be the first to listen to my audiobook?

Go HERE and let me know. We’ll let you know as soon as it is available for download.

For the paperback, go HERE.

As I travel and share the message of my new book, Emotional Resonance Factor®, I’ve been blessed to receive some truly beautiful questions from the community. One question keeps surfacing that feels especially important. I want to share it with you here in case it lights something up inside you, too.

Question:
For those who are just now hearing about “emotional resonance,” how would you explain it in simple terms? And how is it different from emotional intelligence?

This is such a thoughtful question and one I love answering. It opens a doorway into a deeper way of understanding ourselves and how we connect with others.

Emotional Intelligence vs Emotional Resonance

Emotional intelligence is a foundational skill.

It’s the ability to recognize and regulate your emotions while understanding how those emotions affect the people around you. It includes self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation. These skills help us communicate more clearly and stay grounded in relationships.

Think of emotional intelligence as something you learn and practice. It’s what helps you notice your own reactions and choose how to respond. It’s about understanding feelings so you can move through the world with more grace and clarity.

Emotional resonance is something different.

It’s not about managing emotions. It’s about being attuned. The meaning of emotional resonance lies in the experience of deep emotional alignment. It’s what happens when your internal world responds to someone else’s presence or truth in a way that feels natural and unspoken.

You’ve likely felt this before. A conversation that stirred something in you. A moment that made you soften. A connection that felt immediate, even without words. That’s emotional resonance.

What Emotional Resonance Feels Like

Emotional resonance is based in energy, not effort.

It happens when you’re present and aligned with your own truth. It’s the quiet feeling of being seen, felt, and understood on a level that doesn’t require explanation. It’s when your energy matches someone else’s in a way that feels honest and grounding.

Resonance isn’t something you can perform. It arises naturally when you are fully connected to yourself. The more you live in integrity with who you are, the more you become available for this kind of connection.

Why Resonance Begins Within

You can only experience emotional resonance with others when you’re already in tune with yourself. That’s where it begins. You cannot fake resonance. It cannot be forced. It comes from being clear and honest with your inner world.

Each of us carries a unique emotional blueprint. It’s shaped by our experiences, our gifts, and the work we’ve done to return to our own truth. This is why what resonates for one person might not for another. That difference is not only natural, it’s sacred.

The Gift of Alignment

When you are in resonance, you are in alignment.

From that space, the right people, ideas, and opportunities tend to find you. Not through pushing, but through openness. Resonance feels like ease. It draws connection, not by reaching outward, but by standing firmly in who you are.

You don’t need to prove anything. You don’t need to perform. You simply need to be present and true. And in that space, real connection happens.

That is the true meaning of emotional resonance.

It’s not just how we connect with others. It’s how we come home to ourselves and create space for others to do the same.

With love,

Katy

What is it about leading during unpredictable times that makes you break a sweat? How can you make leading during shaky times work out for the highest good? Let’s discuss three insightful tools and steps for leading with grace and ease during uncertain times.

The Problem

As a human being, no one enjoys having to change. Change is not predictable and thus, often very scary. The only way uncertainty feels even worse is when you have to not just focus on yourself, but lead others through it as well. In these cases, you are dealing with unpredictable and scary environments where you can’t control the outcome…and others are counting on you!

In times of uncertainty, leaders tend to shrink back literally and figuratively. Sometimes this may look like being stuck, almost paralyzed by self-doubt. Doubt is not a bad thing. In fact, doubt can oppose dogmatic certainty because doubt allows for compassion, understanding, patience, trust and tolerance; opening doors to fresh leadership ideas and solutions.

“Our faith is a living thing precisely because it walks hand-in-hand with doubt”.— Ralph Feinnes, Conclave

Other times, this ‘lack of leadership behavior’ can result in making poor decisions based on fear and a mentality crippled by lack or desperation. None of this is inspiring your team, much less allowing the business to grow and succeed.

Tools and Steps

1. Go Silent…Seriously

During times of uncertainty, great leaders know the answers rest in silence. Being in action constantly is depleting your energy and it doesn’t produce results. It can just serve to add to the chaos that already exists.

Great leadership comes from the confidence you exude as you lead. Confidence is a by-product of peace you exhibit when you show up. This peace only comes from getting quiet, going inside and studying yourself and the situation at hand. 

I coach all my clients to find their blind spots and ensuing emotions. Only then can they move forward powerfully. 

How?

Disconnecting from the fear and chaos is the key. Taking the time to intentionally sit still, alone, and feel into the situation, problem, and all the ensuing emotions, is a mandatory part of succeeding in uncertain leadership times. Only when you sit still can you confront your own thoughts, emotions and blind spots…and eventually the “why didn’t I see that” solutions. This may seem easy. When clients have me as their coach, I drive ownership and accountability for them so they make time to sit still. You’ll need to see the value in getting uncomfortable and making time to sit still by yourself. 

Consider as you sit still: How truly uncertain is the actual situation? How much of it is just your negative emotions and baggage versus objective facts and issues? How is this stunting effective problem solving and decision making? What emotions are coming up for you- anger, fear, sadness, guilt, shame, hurt? What viewpoint are you missing?

2. Get Curious

Most leaders work within environments where everyone is telling them what they want to hear- usually “yes”. Rarely does someone stand up to a leader and call them on their leadership challenges. This is a big problem because as the leader, you can’t see options when no one is giving you valuable feedback and challenging your thinking. Again, unless you have a strong coach who will be that person for you, you need to do this for yourself. 

How?

Come at every dilemma or problem with deep curiosity and wonder, like a child would do. This curiosity will abate your natural tendency to judge the situation and those employees who contributed to the situation. This awareness will allow you to start the process of seeing options that you normally would have missed. This entire process will require you to be very self-aware and catch yourself.  You must act as your own coach.

Consider: Adopt the mantra, “Isn’t that interesting?” and/or “How curious is that?”. Filter every issue through a question format instead of a statement/sentence. The latter puts you in a place of judging based on the finality of a statement versus the openness of a question.

3. Get Creative

As a leader, what landed you in the problematic situation you have won’t get you to the solution you need in uncertain times (or even during more stable times!). Find a way to get excited about unsettled, uncertain times. Yes, excited. Excitement fuels momentum to create a better mousetrap. This will allow you to find a solution(s) by seeing the bigger picture AND all the details. 

How?

Consider: What could be the upshot of all this uncertainty? Dig deep and stretch yourself. Tap into your creativity exercises parts of your being (and brain) that are often ignored. This can feel uncomfortable. If you can’t find a single upshot, then you are not doing it “wrong”. You just need to repeat steps one and two above more often in order to relax and allow yourself to find creative solutions. Stress does not allow for confidence nor creativity.

In summary, never underestimate the power of uncertainty. You can be calm enough to generate intelligent and creative solutions in the face of the unknown. You can handle the pressure, discomfort and fears because your central nervous system can handle it. You are stronger than you think. You have resources and support. Use them and let your life be easier and your career and leadership epic, effective and inspirational, regardless of what is going on externally.

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