How to unlock & reset your growth trajectory as a leader amid uncertainty

Hi from Gudrun Lind,

If there is one thing most leaders (and people in general) avoid, it's uncertainty.

Our brains don't like uncertainty.

Your brain is hardwired to protect you from harm. So when you want to do something you have never done before, your brain automatically stops you as lack of certainty translates into a risk or a threat.

That's why we need to train ourselves to face some of our fears.

Like the book title by Susan Jeffers says, 'Feel the fear and do it anyway'.

Your brain is wired to block your growth.

I started CrossFit last year. It was new to me, and many of the movements were unfamiliar. Honestly, many of them scared me.

One of those movements was jumping on a box, a bit higher or even similar to an average chair. Now, for many people, that's probably not that scary. But for me, it was. It was something I'd never tried.

I knew, on some level, that I could probably do it. But my brain kept screaming, "Danger! Danger!"?

So, for some time, I didn't do it. I told myself, 'It's not worth it', 'It's not like I am in my twenties or even thirties anymore!'. I did the other version, stepping up and down. No jumping!

With a little support under my feet and some encouragement from my trainer, I did it—first with assistance, then on my own—in a matter of minutes. From "I can't" to "I actually can"!

It’s one of the most vivid examples where my brain shouted danger, but as often happens, it was not true. There was no danger.

Our brains prevent us from taking action. It's the same in life and leadership. We hear voices of doubt and fear, telling us we're not capable or ready, it's too risky .. bla bla bla.

To lead others effectively, we must first lead ourselves. We need to push past our mental blocks, trust our abilities, and take that leap—whether it's jumping on a box or making a tough decision at work.

Leading yourself means recognising when your brain is holding you back and finding the courage to move forward anyway.

We all face these mental hurdles. And navigating uncharted territory is no easy task.

The willingness to take action, even in uncertainty, defines effective leadership.

Can you avoid uncertainty? Here's a surprising twist.

Leadership is intertwined with uncertainty.

In fact, uncertainty is the reason why leaders are needed. Without uncertainty and adversity, there would be no need for leaders.

So, instead of finding ways to avoid uncertainty, you need to face it head-on.

Taking that a step further, a true leader is never in complete darkness during uncertain times.

Leadership is about gathering insights and making educated bets.

Consequently, it's not about mitigating the negative consequences of uncertainty or avoiding it altogether.

The key is how you navigate it.

Here are two options you can consider when deciding which path to follow.

Amplify or Simplify?

The first option is to amplify uncertainty, which can lead to losing control over your actions. Many leaders unintentionally follow that path, often without realising it. They get caught up in the whirlwind of change and uncertainty, and their ability to ground themselves and lead weaken significantly.

Especially in today’s reactive world, it's easy to become overwhelmed and lose focus.

Recent HBS research suggests that when resources become limited, many business leaders become risk-averse and focus on protecting their interests.

The second option is to absorb uncertainty and simplify decision-making. Staying calm and confident is fundamental. Approaching uncertainty as an opportunity (albeit challenging) can force you to become more creative, innovative and resilient.

Let me share with you three helpful ways to lead effectively amid uncertainty.

And remember, leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it's about leading yourself first. Whether you're managing a team or navigating your own path, self-leadership is where it all begins.

• Be proactive. Don't play defence. Embrace your leadership role with courage. Leadership is about taking intentional, decisive action, not just reacting to events as they happen. Take an eagle-eye view of the situation, see the big picture, and act based on the insights and facts available. An intentional approach allows you to anticipate challenges better, seize opportunities and lead others more effectively.
• Go back to basics. Stick to your values and reaffirm what drives your team's (or stakeholders) and organisation's growth. Focus on the most valuable drivers and take decisive, small actions. Even if you are unaware of top management decisions or actions, and the goals aren’t clear, do your best to care for your team and keep moving forward, one step at a time.
• Practice emotional regulation. Focus on managing your emotions and helping your team do the same. Be honest and transparent and communicate with them any updates you have (or may not have yet). Encourage open discussions about feelings and concerns. This creates a safe environment, helping everyone move from feeling stuck to being solution-oriented and taking ownership of their roles.

If you’re ready to transform your leadership style from reactive to proactive and achieve greater impact with your team(s) - with personalised, context-specific support, let's talk.

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