What I'm Paying Attention To...

As the election season draws to a close here in the US, we find ourselves in a continuing period of uncertainty. Your people are likely experiencing a whole range of emotions: elation for one group and desolation for the other. Many people are experiencing fear as there are many unknowns that come with the upcoming administration (if he’s your guy, will he be able to impact the issues that you care about; if he isn’t, what impact will he and his team have on your paramount issues) … as well as longstanding concerns about the economy, jobs, health care – both the costs and what’s covered, inflation, and security. Many are concerned about our ability to cooperate with people who may be different from ourselves, the increasing level of tribalization and us vs. them, seemingly never-ending wars with enormous collateral damages… the list can go on!

Leaders are called upon to help determine where we go from here and leading with integrity, curiosity and optimism are more critical than ever. We were just asked to develop a questionnaire to measure leadership potential in employees and we developed 11 key leadership traits that this employer particularly desired:

1. Tolerance for uncertainty, patience, and courage in decision-making

2. Growth Mindset

3. Creating Psychological Safety in the workplace

4. Curiosity and adaptability

5. Confidence, persistence, AND humility

6. Visionary/ long-term thinking

7. Optimism

8. Willingness to be vulnerable

9. Drive to collaborate across teams, divisions, the organization

10. Emotional intelligence

11. Fostering open and honest communication

I think this is a pretty great list for almost any organization. Because today’s leaders must be cognizant of how many people are feeling burnt out, unsettled, and afraid. Not unlike almost five years ago at the onset of the COVID pandemic, people are relying on leaders to tell the truth… AND be confident. To say when they don’t know… AND be clear in their direction. It’s a tall order! And it’s imperative as we seek to help calm and regulate workplace stress in the face of ever-increasing uncertainty.

No matter the election results or your feelings about them, one thing remains clear: our work to foster resilient, positive, and effective leadership continues to be as essential as ever.

At the J&J Consulting Group, we're committed to building organizations and leaders who can adapt, inspire, and create meaningful impact. Now is a wonderful time to reaffirm our dedication to the values that drive us—resilience, empathy, and a focus on the well-being of our teams and communities.

As we look ahead, let’s continue to:

? Focus on Resilience: In times of transition, resilience is our anchor. Resilient teams

and leaders are the backbone of thriving organizations. How can you bring resilience to

the forefront of your leadership style?

? Encourage Dialogue and Understanding: Conversations that bridge differences and

foster understanding build stronger, more inclusive communities. Let’s keep listening,

learning, and growing together.

? Adapt to Change: Change, whether planned or unexpected, is a constant. Embracing

adaptability not only strengthens organizations but empowers individuals to navigate

uncertainty with confidence and purpose.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more insights, strategies, and resources to help you lead with clarity and compassion. We’re excited to continue this journey with each of you, supporting you in leading resiliently and shaping the future together.

Thank you for being part of this community, and for all that you do to make your organizations and communities stronger.

As always, if you think we might be able to support you or your organization, please email us at [email protected] and let’s explore it.