Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to lead during uncertain times, and honest, there’s been no shortage of uncertainty lately. Whether it’s tech disruptions, shifting workforce expectations, or the never-ending economic curveballs, it feels like we’re all navigating some version of “the unknown.”
In my work in talent development, I’ve come to realize that uncertainty isn’t a temporary challenge we have to power through. It’s the new normal. And that means we need to lead differently, more adaptively, more transparently, and more humanely.
Here’s what I’ve been seeing, learning, and recommending when it comes to leading teams through change and complexity:
Communicate More Than You Think You Need To
One of the most notable aspects is the significant demand for transparency during uncertain times. Even when leaders don’t have all the answers (and let’s be honest—who does?), people want honesty. They want to know what we do know, what we don’t know, and what we’re thinking through.
What works?
- Holding regular updates—even if there’s nothing major to report.
- Creating open channels for questions and feedback.
- Just being real with people.
Trust gets built not by having all the answers, but by showing up consistently and authentically.
Build Resilience Like It’s a Muscle
Resilience isn’t something you either have or don’t; it’s something teams can learn and practice. I’ve seen teams bounce back stronger when leaders create space for experimentation, learning from mistakes, and being flexible in their approach to work.
A couple of things I’ve found helpful:
- Training folks to think more adaptively and creatively.
- Celebrating the small wins, especially when someone tries something new—even if it doesn’t fully land.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about momentum.
Develop Leaders Who Can Handle Complexity
We can’t prepare for every twist and turn, but we can prepare leaders to be more comfortable with ambiguity. That means helping them strengthen skills such as systems thinking, decision-making under pressure, and staying grounded amid chaos.
One thing I’ve been encouraging:
Scenario planning. It’s simple but effective. What if this happens? What would we do? It builds that strategic “muscle” we’re going to need more of.
Also, don’t underestimate the value of cross-functional experiences. Getting leaders out of their silos helps them think more broadly and see how everything is connected.
Push Decision-Making Down (Yes, Really)
One of the biggest bottlenecks during uncertain times? Decisions are getting stuck at the top. The best leaders I’ve worked with are the ones who trust their teams enough to let them lead within their scope.
This isn’t just delegation—it’s empowerment.
- Give teams the tools and boundaries.
- Teach decision-making as a skill.
- Then let them run.
It builds confidence. It speeds things up. And frankly, it makes teams feel more invested.
Wrapping It All Up
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we’re not getting out of this era of uncertainty any time soon. Rather than fighting it, we must learn how to lead through it, and that means being transparent, connected, and courageous.
As someone in talent development, I see our role as helping leaders build the mindset and skillset to thrive, not just survive, in these moments. And that starts with small, intentional shifts in how we show up, how we support our teams, and how we shape culture from the inside out.
Let’s continue to share what’s working and support one another along the way.
References:
- Center for Creative Leadership. (n.d.). Future Leadership Skills Needed for An Uncertain World. Retrieved from https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/leadership-skills-for-an-uncertain-world/Berrett-Koehler Publishers+2CCL+2Center for Creative Leadership+2
- Harvard Business Review. (2024, February). What Employees Need from Leaders in Uncertain Times. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2024/02/what-employees-need-from-leaders-in-uncertain-timesHarvard Business Review
- MIT Sloan Management Review. (2025, April 28). 10 Strategies for Leading in Uncertain Times. Retrieved from https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/10-strategies-for-leading-in-uncertain-times/MIT Sloan Management Review
- Johansen, B. (2012). Leaders Make the Future: Ten New Leadership Skills for an Uncertain World. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.Cobee+5Center for Creative Leadership+5Berrett-Koehler Publishers+5
- Forbes. (2024, September 12). 4 Strategies To Lead Through Uncertainty. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/adriangostick/2024/09/12/4-strategies-to-lead-through-uncertainty/Forbes+1Forbes+1