Leading change

Leading through uncertainty

5 minutes

Is your organisation about to go through some changes you don’t have clarity about? Or is there a sense of looming change that is undefined and ambiguous, and you don’t know whether it’s going to affect your team or not? This sense of pending change can create significant anxiety and uncertainty in you and your team.

But uncertainty is an inevitable challenge that leaders must confront. Your team needs an effective leader during these times to help them navigate through the ambiguity, maintain stability and cope with what is to come.

Understanding uncertainty

Uncertainty happens where future outcomes are unpredictable, and the information available is insufficient. Examples include sudden market changes, pending company downsizes, people or structural changes, funding, restructures and mergers. These situations can have several adverse effects on you and your team, such as increased stress, anxiety, and a decrease in morale. This, in turn, can impact productivity and performance. Organisationally, uncertainty can disrupt ongoing projects and strategic objectives, leading to potential setbacks.

Strategies for leading through uncertainty

The anticipation of change, particularly when its specifics remain undefined, can have negative effects on the team even before the change is implemented. As a leader, getting your team through this phase is as important as navigating the change itself. And here are some tips to help you.

Acknowledge the uncertainty

The first step is accepting the presence of uncertainty and acknowledge the situation. Our brain is hard-wired to perceive any change or disruption as a threat, so it is normal to feel negative emotions at first. This is especially true when faced with uncertainties where you don’t know the answer or have no idea what’s next. Learn to process your emotion and accept that there are things that you don’t know instead of trying to solve it all. By embracing this mindset, you can better prepare yourself and your team to navigate the unknown with resilience and confidence.

Communicate openly with your team

Remember that you’re not alone. You don’t have to resolve all the issues by yourself. You need to include your team in all the steps that you take because they are also affected by any change that is going to happen. Transparency fosters trust and helps alleviate anxiety. Leaders should engage in honest and empathetic communication, providing regular updates and check-ins to ensure everyone is informed and feels included in the process. Did you know that checking in as little as 3 minutes a day can make all the difference?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

In times of uncertainty, the path forward is often unclear. Making mistakes is normal. Don’t aim for perfection because it is not practical and possible. It is fine to commit mistakes because it is part of the learning process. Strive to move forward and learn from these mistakes, taking them as opportunities to grow rather than failures.

Focus on vision and values

Always look at the bigger picture. Sometimes leaders are so overwhelmed by what’s happening around them that they focus on the immediate events. During uncertain times, it is vital to reinforce the organisation's core values and long-term vision. Aligning your team’s efforts with these guiding principles can inspire confidence and optimism about the future. By consistently emphasising the bigger picture, leaders can help their teams stay focused and motivated, even when the immediate path is unclear.

Do not resort to quick solutions

While it might be tempting to make swift choices to get through the situation quickly, hasty decisions can lead to further complications. For example, the company is experiencing budget shortfall, so you decided to cut costs by slashing resources or delaying important components of the project. However, hastily implementing these decisions could do more harm than good. Take the time to gather as much information as possible, consider various perspectives, and weigh the potential consequences before making a decision. Consider alternative solutions and their potential impacts.

Keep your people engaged

The world doesn’t stop even during uncertain times. It helps keep your team productive and motivated. Setting clear, short-term goals can provide a sense of direction and purpose. By prioritising tasks that offer immediate value and clarity, you can help your people stay focused and productive. Regularly review and adjust priorities as circumstances change and don’t forget to celebrate small victories. Connect to what motivates each of your team members and support and encourage them as much as you can.

You cannot control uncertainty, even as leaders. Instead, focus on what you can control—your response to these unknown situations. By embracing the strategies above, you can better prepare yourself and your team to navigate the unknown with resilience and confidence.

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