Leadership in Uncertain Times

To Listen! Everyone says it’s important. Every good consultant reminds you to do it. But let’s be honest: it’s harder than it sounds.

Listening, showing empathy and acknowledging is especially important when things are uncertain and uncomfortable. Which, in change initiatives, transformations and today’s world of geopolitical, climate and economic shifts… is almost always the case.

In one of my previous roles, I led a team during a period of a merger / acquisition and intense pressure to deliver. When I left, one piece of feedback from a team member really stayed with me:

“What I appreciated most was that you made time to just listen. Not to have all the answers or fix what I was struggling with, but to make me feel confident to move on.”

That message hit home. Because that’s what I believe (change) leadership is really about.

• Not having all the answers.

• Not being able to fix everything along the way.

• Not repeating the ‘why’ slide or the “what’s in it for me” story over and over again.

During leadership keynotes, I often start with a question:

When was the last time a PowerPoint presentation alone inspired you to embrace change wholeheartedly?

Probably (almost) never… so why should our people do? Too often, I see leaders treat change leadership like a checklist: share the why, talk about the WIIFM, tick the sponsorship box. Those things matter, but they’re not the heart of it. Change leadership isn’t a trick or checlist. People notice your presence more than your PowerPoint slide.

It’s about listening, empathy, and being available. Authenticity delivers!

A leader who says, “I don’t know exactly what the future looks like, but I’m here to figure it out with you,” builds far more trust than one who pretends to have it all under control or doesn’t show up at all.

Being available means:

• Available to just listen.

• Available to show empathy.

• Available to say, “I don’t know.”

• Available to reflect on your own role and ask for help.

• Available to lead with optimism, not pretended certainty.

Because in the end, it’s not only about what you say, it’s about how you show up when things get uncertain.