Leading through periods of uncertainty is tough, especially when it involves change. Whether it’s an unexpected organizational shift, an economic downturn, or a global crisis, change is hard—and it’s even harder when so much feels up in the air. As leaders, we’re tasked with guiding our teams through these rocky waters, while also looking to maintain focus, morale, and direction when the ground feels like it’s constantly shifting beneath our feet.
But here’s a key bottom line: While uncertainty may be a constant in today’s world, it doesn’t have to be a source of dread. In fact, leading through change is one of the most important and rewarding leadership challenges. If done right, it can help build trust, loyalty, and resilience in your team—making them not just survivors of change, but thrivers in it.
I’ve detailed below some practical strategies for how you can lead your team in times of uncertainty. What’s more, these tips can help you maintain focus, boost morale, and keep everyone moving forward with purpose.
1. Lead with Transparency—Even When You Don’t Have All the Answers
In times of uncertainty, you might think it’s better to hold off communicating until you have more clarity. But that’s a risky strategy. In an information vacuum, people make things up – so transparency is your best friend during uncertain times– even when your answer is, “I don’t know.”
The worst thing you can do is to hide behind vague reassurances or avoid tough conversations. People can sense when something’s off, and that only breeds anxiety and distrust. The key here is to share what you know, when you know it. If there’s uncertainty about the future, acknowledge it. If there is bad news, deliver it with honesty and empathy. If you’re unsure about what’s coming next, let people know you’re actively working on it and that you’re committed to keeping them in the loop.
How to approach this? Hold regular updates and meetings, even if you don’t have groundbreaking news to share. Just knowing that you’re keeping your team informed, no matter how small the updates are, will go a long way toward building trust. And when you don’t have answers, don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know yet, but we’re working on it.” The more authentic you are, the more your team will respect you, even when things feel uncertain.
2. Reinforce Your Vision and Purpose
One of the first things to get lost in times of crisis or change is the big picture. When the ground is shifting beneath us, it’s easy to get bogged down in day-to-day firefighting and forget why we’re doing what we’re doing. This is where the leader comes in.
When things are upside down or sideways, people are looking for direction and meaning. They want to know that the work they’re doing matters, even if everything else feels up in the air. Your job is to keep the vision and purpose clear. Remind your team of the why—the larger mission, the values that guide the work, and the impact that they’re making. When everything else feels uncertain, this is your anchor.
How to approach this? Make an effort to connect your team’s work to the company’s mission or a larger goal. Share success stories, remind them of key milestones, and frame changes as opportunities to strengthen that mission. If you’re in a time of crisis, show how your team’s efforts are even more critical than ever. This helps everyone understand that, while things might change, their contributions are still vital and meaningful.
A little bit of storytelling goes a long way. Share real examples of how the work your team is doing is making a difference—whether it’s a customer’s success story or an internal project that had a big impact.
3. Empathy: Be Human, Be Present
Uncertainty breeds anxiety, and it’s likely that during a period of big change your team is likely dealing with a lot of stress. People are worried about their jobs, their families, and their futures. As a leader, it’s not enough to focus solely on results and tasks; you’ve got to take care of your people.
How to approach this? Leading with empathy means really listening to your team. Make space for people to voice their concerns and frustrations. Hold one-on-one check-ins to see how individuals are coping, both personally and professionally. Sometimes, a simple “How are you really doing?” can go a long way toward building trust and showing your support.
Be the calm in the storm. Model emotional resilience and demonstrate that it’s okay to feel uncertain—what matters is how we respond to it. When your team sees that you’re grounded and present, they’re more likely to stay calm and focused, too.
4. Create Stability with Routines and Processes
In times of uncertainty, stability is like gold. People crave structure when everything around them feels chaotic. While some things are out of your control, one thing you can do is keep as much consistency as possible in your team’s routine. This helps everyone feel like they’re still in control of something, even when external factors are unpredictable.
How to approach this? Keep regular meetings and communication. Stick to established workflows and routines as much as possible, even if things around you are changing. If you do need to change processes or schedules, do so in a way that’s clearly communicated, and give your team time to adjust.
Celebrate small wins. In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to overlook the little victories, but these moments can be a huge morale booster. Make it a habit to acknowledge achievements—whether it’s hitting a project milestone or simply meeting a deadline.
5. Empower Your Team to Take Ownership
When the world feels unpredictable, people want to feel like they have control over their own work. In times of change, empower your team by giving them more autonomy and responsibility. Let them own parts of the decision-making process and problem-solving.
Empowered employees are more resilient and creative in the face of challenges. When they feel like they can contribute to shaping their own work, they’re more likely to stay engaged, even when the environment around them is turbulent.
How to approach this? Delegate more decision-making power to your team. Ask for their input on how to navigate changes or challenges. Be transparent about the scope of their autonomy, but encourage them to take ownership and try new solutions. Trust that they are capable of handling more than you might expect.
Encourage collaboration. When teams work together to solve problems, they not only share the workload but also build collective resilience. Cross-functional collaboration is particularly important when navigating uncertainty.
6. Prioritize Well-Being and Mental Health
Lastly, in times of uncertainty, mental health and well-being must be a top priority. Stress, burnout, and anxiety are natural side effects of prolonged uncertainty. As a leader, you need to be proactive in supporting the emotional health of your team.
How to approach this? Encourage breaks, set healthy boundaries, and provide resources for mental health support. Lead by example by managing your own stress and taking care of yourself. It’s important that your team sees you maintaining a healthy work-life balance, so they feel empowered to do the same.
You can even introduce well-being initiatives like virtual yoga sessions, meditation breaks, or group wellness challenges. Small gestures can make a big difference in helping your team cope with the stress of uncertainty.
Leading during times of uncertainty is one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences a leader can face. Whether you’re steering your team through an economic crisis, organizational change, or a global pandemic, your role as a leader is to create clarity, foster connection, and empower your team to stay resilient.
Remember, people follow leaders they trust. And trust is built through transparency, empathy, and action. By focusing on your team’s well-being, reinforcing your vision, and providing the stability and support they need, you’ll guide them through the storm—and emerge stronger on the other side.