Resilient Leadership: How to Thrive with Uncertainty and Ambiguity
As an executive coach for established and emerging tech leaders, I’m often asked how it’s possible to thrive in leadership during uncertain times.
Uncertainty has been almost constant in the past few years, with pandemics, wars, supply chain issues, the Great Resignation, and tech layoffs impacting predictability.
Many of my clients are curious to understand how they can apply resilient leadership skills to continue supporting their team through uncertainty, caring for their own well-being, and feeling confident in making decisions.
Being a resilient leader means inspiring and motivating your teams, building strong relationships, and adapting to changing circumstances. Resilient leaders can bounce back from adversity, better maintain focus, and stay on track when faced with challenges.
Here, we’ll explore resilient leadership and the proven strategies to help leaders thrive even when the path ahead is unclear.
What’s possible in the midst of uncertainty?
Whether you’re leading a tech startup or a leader within a large company, uncertainty and ambiguity are often part and parcel of the role.
You may be wondering: “What’s possible when I can’t predict what’s coming next? How can I still be a resilient leader in the midst of the storm?”
The truth is, even in the midst of uncertainty, there are steps you can take to keep moving forward toward the business's greater goals and vision.
Some strategies will help you to thrive in leadership, even through uncertain times.
Let’s unpack this…
How to keep going when you don’t know what’s next
The tech industry has always been dynamic and ever-changing. So, how can you keep moving forward as a team and a company when the destination is unknown?
Leading through uncertainty starts with:
Reconnecting to vision and values
Revisiting and reaffirming your organization’s vision and values is especially important when there’s ambiguity or uncertainty.
Without a familiar and well-trodden path, these foundational principles can guide you to stay on course.
Plus, sharing the vision and values with your team reignites a shared sense of purpose behind the work, inspiring and motivating individuals to work together to reach your goals.
Trusting yourself and your history
Uncertain times don’t wipe clean the slate of experience, insights, and progress you’ve achieved as a leader. Remember that you bring a rich history of experiences to how you lead.
When confronted with ambiguity, remember what has served you well. Trust in the lessons that you’ve learned and the resilience you’ve built. This self-assurance can be the foundation upon which you can make tough decisions and lead your team through turbulent times.
Remember, too, that it’s okay to ask for help and to back up your experience with data and evidence for added confidence.
Practice creative thinking
When business as usual becomes unusual, it’s time to revisit how things have been done. This opens the door to seeing where creative ideas can bring new opportunities.
Look for innovative ways forward, holding your customers and team at the center of your decision-making.
Ask yourself…”Where is there room to be experimental right now? How can we be prototyping concepts and then testing and refining them?”
Creative thinking can help you be ready to make meaningful moves even in uncertainty.
Communicate, communicate, communicate
Communication is always key to resilient leadership. This is especially true in uncertain times.
“I understand that all of this rapid change creates anxiety and uncertainty. That’s why today I am going to set out for you as clearly as possible what you can expect as we continue to fight the virus together.” Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Just as former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern inspired the world with her response to COVID-19, you can inspire and connect your team through consistent and transparent communication.
Maintaining open communication makes the unknown known, reduces anxiety, and brings everyone into a collective effort to move forward.
Prioritizing good communication helps your team stay up-to-date with business needs and allows them to share valuable ideas, opinions, and feedback.
This, in turn, helps them to feel heard, valued, and motivated.
Understand your risk tolerance
To support you in making quick and informed decisions, spend time understanding how much uncertainty you can absorb. Monitor and adjust your risk tolerance profile as needed.
During times of uncertainty, there are still opportunities to take small steps towards your goals.
Back up your experience and any additional planning to help you make decisions. Understand that change can be an opportunity for more creativity, innovation, and potential growth.
Elevate your leadership resilience with executive coaching
If you’re wondering how to increase your leadership resilience, executive coaching is a powerful tool to help you access your full potential as a leader so you can:
Lead with integrity even when maneuvering between opposing agendas
Communicate with care even when the pressure is on
Set clear expectations and hold boundaries even with your bosses
Not just offer support but also ask for it, even in a competitive environment
Hi, I’m Heath Hatchett
I’m an executive coach for tech leaders of all levels. After 25+ years leading organizational change and growing high-performance teams in Silicon Valley, I know the power of transformational leaders to shift the status quo into something truly extraordinary. I believe everyone deserves a great leader, and every leader deserves the support to BE that great leader.
As an executive coach specializing in action-based support, I work with you to hone those high-level leadership skills necessary to succeed through uncertainty. By meeting you where you are and understanding the goals you want to achieve, we will co-create a personalized plan to meet your needs so you can:
Achieve your goals faster
Stay accountable
Gain a fresh perspective
Make more informed decisions, and
Stay motivated and focused on your goals.
Learn more about me and my approach to coaching.
If you’d like to find out more about how executive coaching can support you with your leadership journey, I offer a free 45-Minute Chemistry Call, where we explore your questions and see how I can help.
