Uncertainty. Upheaval. Disruption. The world as we know it is in a constant state of flux, and it shows no signs of slowing down. How do you react when faced with unexpected change? Do you feel a sense of foggy confusion or clear-headed focus? Are you comfortable going with the flow, or do you resent the disruption to your carefully laid plans?
As an HR specialist dedicated to helping people navigate these turbulent times, I’ve seen firsthand the behaviours that lead to success—and those that don’t. This post is for leaders who need to build resilience, create support structures and guide their teams and organisations through uncertain times.
Here are five practices that will help you thrive, not just survive, in an era of constant evolution.
1. Focus on Consistent Habits, Not Just the Finish Line
We are often conditioned to focus on the endpoint: passing the exam, securing the promotion, hitting a target. OFten for ourselves. While goals are essential, the path to achieving them is never a straight line and collaboration takes courage. As the saying goes, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.”
I was reminded of this in my running days, mine started later in life and one day while trying to run up a hill, I was frustrated and out of breath. My immediate thought was, “Just get up the hill!” I was so focused on the end point that my technique fell apart. My running coach offered some sage advice: “Don’t look at the top. Look just ahead of you, maintain your posture, and take small, steady steps. Your mind will quit long before your legs will.”
She was right. By shifting my focus from the destination to the immediate technique, my breathing, my posture, my steps, my heart rate settled, and I conquered the hill with less effort. It wasn’t even a big hill! A return to this as a metaphor for business and life. When I feel frustrated by a lack of progress, I know to concentrate on the small, consistent habits that will move me forward. Find an anchor for you. Notice your typical responses and allo your team to this for themselves too. Your determination, guided by solid technique, will get you there. Do it collectively and you’ve got collaborative behaviour to build on right there.
2. Prioritise, and Then Prioritise Again
In times of change, prioritisation is a dynamic and continuous skill. It requires blending a long-term vision with daily pragmatism. So easy to say in a sentence or two!
While it’s wise to consider “what if” scenarios, avoid falling into the trap of over-analysis. Instead, regularly assess the likelihood and potential impact of events on your plans. Focus your energy on the actions that will make the biggest difference right now. Then prioritise again. And again.
In uncertain times, the “next right move” may not be in your plan. It often emerges as the situation evolves. Not moving forward means you might not discover it. By frequently revisiting your priorities, you create the flexibility to adapt as new information and resources become available, ensuring you maintain momentum and direction without wasting time.
3. Embrace Your Emotions as valuable Data
When our world is uncertain, our emotional response is natural and immediate. We don’t judge our nervous system for telling us that a surface is hot or cold, yet when I’m coaching I often find people judge their emotions as “good” or “bad”?
Feelings are data. They are your psychological feedback system. Ignoring them is like ignoring a warning light on your car’s dashboard. Whether you or someone you manage, feels overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious, take a moment to acknowledge it. Also with happy, contented, excited! Accepting these feelings doesn’t mean dwelling on them, but understanding the information they provide about your needs is essential for determining next steps that will be successful for you.
When you feel overwhelmed, step away. Go for a walk, listen to music, or talk to someone you trust. Processing your emotions supports movement towards a more productive state of mind quicker than avoiding them. Encourage your team to do the same. When people feel safe to express their emotional responses, you build trust, resilience, and unlock more creative, solution-focused outcomes. I have something on the wall in front of me to remind you of this, because it’s when I’m avoiding an emotion that I’m least likely to remember this advice!
4. Develop the Capacity to Live Through Uncertainty
The human brain craves certainty. So the neuroscience makes sense when it shows that when we resolve something quickly, we get a hit of dopamine. It’s a feel-good hormone that can become addictive. The desire for a quick fix can lead us to make hasty decisions in “urgent mode,” but this can rob us of the deeper satisfaction that comes from navigating something complex or longer term. Brene Brown’s research has proven that as humans, we are wired for struggle. So as leader, it’s essential to help people face and overcome their struggle. Patience then, is the order of the day for our teams on this one.
The key to countering this is preparation and practice. Elite athletes don’t show up to a championship flustered; they arrive focused, having rehearsed their craft relentlessly. They have built the habits and mental fortitude to perform under pressure and handle the unpredictable. For me, Jonny Wilkinson’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning drop goal is a perfect reminder of how practice pays off under pressure. What’s yours?
Invest in preparing for high-stakes moments. Practice the small, fundamental scharios so they become second nature when you need them most. Develop abilities to hold your nerve during periods of waiting and uncertainty and you’ll be ready to act decisively and effectively at the right time.
5. Replace Your ‘Agenda’ with Genuine Empathy
Change feels chaotic because it involves different people with different perspectives, all trying to make sense of an evolving situation. What could possible go wrong?! This often leads to a clash of agendas. Managers ask, “Why are they being so difficult?” while employees wonder, “Why are they being so insensitive?” for example.
The root of this friction is often a failure to see the situation from the other person’s viewpoint. The moment we label someone as “right” or “wrong,” we are judging them against our own frame of reference. This is human, but it’s not helpful.
To find common ground, you must temporarily set aside your own agenda and listen with a genuine desire to understand. Seek to learn what the other person thinks and why they think it. Once you truly understand their perspective, you can share your own in a way that builds bridges, not walls. This approach transforms potential conflict into collaboration, making it far more likely that you will find a way forward that feels like a shared success, not a reluctant compromise. It won’t always result in agreement, but it will give you the best chance of it.
In Summary
Navigating uncertain times is demanding. It uses personal energies and all reserves, to constantly switch between future-focused strategy and present-day adaptation. Clarity, planning, emotional intelligence, and strong communication are not just beneficial; they are essential.
Cultivating just a couple of the above points mean leaders can build resilience to steer their teams through challenging transitions with confidence and integrity.
If you would like to explore how we can help your leadership team or organisation navigate a period of significant change, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch today.