Uncertain Times? So… Tuesday.

When COVID hit, I found myself writing daily updates—sometimes multiple times a day—trying to give our team direction when no one, including me, had a clue what was coming next. One day it was masks, the next it was, “No masks but stay six feet apart unless you’re outdoors, but maybe not.” The only constant was confusion.

So, I did what leaders do: I focused on the next thing, communicating what we knew, admitting what we didn’t, and keeping everyone together one Zoom meeting at a time.

Over the years, I’ve realized that “uncertain times” aren’t a phase—they’re just…times. Terrorism, elections, recessions, pandemics—there’s always something. The trick isn’t to wait for stability. It’s to keep leading when the path ahead is foggy.

Uncertainty can paralyze a team—or galvanize it. The difference? Clear leadership.

To lead with clarity during uncertain times:

• Acknowledge the unknowns: Be honest about what you know and what you don’t.

• Provide direction: Even if the path isn’t perfect, people need to know the next step.

• Reiterate values: Ground your team in the purpose that doesn’t change.

What’s one message your team needs to hear clearly from you right now?