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.

Want to talk about it? 

My role is a strategic thinking partner for my client leaders. Let me support you.