Over the past week, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with nonprofit and corporate executives, business owners, and community leaders, people who are deeply committed to meaningful work in very challenging times.
At every event, one theme kept coming up:
How do I lead when everything feels uncertain and people look to me for clarity?
Whether you’re navigating culture change, trying to sustain momentum through burnout, or wondering how to talk about DEI in today’s climate, you’re not alone. The weight of leadership is real.
But so is the opportunity to be a leader, an anchor, even in the unknown.
Here are three powerful questions I’ve been offering to help people stay grounded, clear, and values-aligned throughout these moments:
1. What is my body or mind telling me right now?
Leadership starts with self-awareness. Before you strategize, pause and check in with yourself. Are you holding your breath? Feeling scattered? Tight in the chest?
This isn’t just about wellness, though that’s also important, it’s also about impact. When we’re dysregulated, it ripples throughout our ecosystems at work and at home. When you can recognize your own stress signals, you can respond thoughtfully instead of reacting. That’s what I call anchored leadership.
2. What am I seeing that others might be missing?
Uncertainty tends to shrink our focus to what is directly in front of us, which can leave us exposed to what is on the horizon. Take a moment to look up and out. What long-term patterns may be emerging beyond this moment?
This question helps you shift from firefighting to focusing, making decisions not just based on pressure and fear but also wisdom.
3. What values guide me and my organization in this moment?
Values are your compass when policies, norms, or expectations are in flux. Ask yourself:
As a leader, how do I want to show up?
What does alignment look like here, for me and my organization?
Even when there’s no perfect answer, there’s often a values-aligned next best step.
Join me on Thursday, May 22nd at 12:00pm ET
I’m hosting a free 45-minute webinar:
Leading Through Uncertainty: Why Values-Driven Leadership Is a Business Imperative
I’ll walk through our WAVE™ Framework for grounded, strategic leadership, share real-world stories, and answer your questions.
Register here https://us02web.zoom.us/
If you’re a nonprofit or business leader determined to lead with integrity and impact, this is for you.
We were made for this moment.
Let’s lead it well.
