Navigating Through Turbulence: leading from a position of strength in uncertainty

We’re operating in constantly changing and uncertain times. COVID continues to take people away from the workplace. News about inflation, a changing climate and global conflicts is persistently on our screens.

Your people strive to perform despite these ever-present worries and frequent separation from their colleagues and clients. And while you’re exposed to the same stresses, you also stress about the health of your organisation. What does this continued uncertainty mean for your business?

This environment challenges your leadership. How can you find your way through the turbulence of our times and communicate from a position of clarity and strength?

Self-awareness

To lead effectively, know where you are starting from. Just as trees survive through storms by being firmly rooted to the ground, you too must lead from a position of deep understanding and awareness.

Firstly, know yourself. What makes you the person you are? How do you view the world, and what style do you bring to your leadership? How do others see you? The more objectively you know who you are, the better you’ll be able to bring your strengths to any challenge.

Secondly, be aware of how you are experiencing the moment. How are you feeling—mentally, physically and emotionally—right now? Stop reading, close your eyes and check in with yourself.

You can be more self-aware and present by taking care of yourself—mentally, physically and emotionally—and having a support network of peers and mentors you regularly talk with.

Self-management

If you’re aware of who you are and how you feel, you’ll be able to manage your reactions to the world around you.

Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl said:

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

In our response also lies the success or failure of our leadership in troubled times.

If you lack self-awareness, you can’t find that space between stimulus and response. You’re unable to control your reactions. You convey uncertainty, communicate in unpredictable ways and lead your people poorly.

If, on the other hand, you’re aware of yourself, you have command of your responses. You’re more present and connected to others.

Vision and purpose

Once you’ve found a grounded position, you can clearly look out and visualise the path to your goal. To lead through uncertainty, you must avoid getting stuck reacting to short-term challenges.

What drives your organisation? What are you trying to achieve in the long term?

Ocean swimmers avoid burying their heads in the water, staring down at the seabed. They frequently look up, find a tree or house on the far shore and swim towards that point. Avoid swimming in circles by finding your purpose and using it to guide your decisions and communication.

Connect

Often, our first reaction to any external shock is to communicate. We send out instructions and demand immediate information from our teams. But if we do this from an ungrounded position, we’ll only amplify the disruption.

Only once you’ve managed yourself and found your purpose can you consider reaching out to others. Before you do, though, consider their perspectives. How might they be responding to the uncertainty? What will they need from you?

With these thoughts in mind, communicate with your people. Help them lift their heads by bringing them back to your organisation’s purpose and providing vision. Your conviction and confidence—built through self-awareness and control—can be contagious.

Balance this with being realistic. Don’t hesitate to be vulnerable and admit you don’t know everything. Be confident without claiming to be certain.

Listen for feedback

Once you’ve reached out to your team, let them share with you.

Be available. Give your people dedicated space in time and place to connect with you. Schedule regular group and one-to-one catch-ups. Include ‘non-work’ time in meetings for social connection and sharing of concerns.

Then listen. Truly. Hear your people’s worries, questions and doubts. Sometimes, that will be all you need to do.

Coming from a position of strength

The upheaval we’ve seen in our societies and workplaces over the past few years continues. We’ll keep facing challenges that distract us from our work and create fog for our communication.

In this environment, you must lead from a position of strength. This depends on you regularly getting in touch with yourself and being present in the moment. From this grounded position, you can reach out to others with clarity of purpose and an open heart. This way, you can navigate your team through the storms of un