Nobody Handed Me a Map

Every setback, adversity, or change I've been through in my career and in my life came without a map. I didn't have anyone there to consult with for coaching, advice, or mentorship. I had to utilize what I had learned up to that point and figure out the rest in real time. The only things that helped were my character, training, and knowing my core values. The rest of it I had to build in real time while people were watching how I responded.

That's what happens when you're leading through a pivot or a change. Whether it's your team or your family, they aren't looking for you to eliminate their uncertainty or have all of the answers. They want you to show them an example of how to carry themselves in stressful situations and to model the good decisions that will set the tone for what they do next.

Even when your intentions are good, and you think you are acting in everyone's best interest, there will be resistance. I've learned that people typically don't have an adverse reaction because things changed. Their perception of uncertainty creates a fear of the future, and their mind begins to fill in the gaps about the information they are receiving.

I've worked with clients who built a whole narrative about what's going to happen next without any basis in facts or reality. Your steadiness is the single most stabilizing resource you have in a transition. You have to be ready to answer tough questions, alleviate concerns, and provide pertinent information to assist in the transition. When you have a calming presence, it carries more weight than the plan, the messaging, and even the timeline that nobody can predict anyway.

If you or your organization are going through change right now, ask yourself: What are the people around me learning about how to handle uncertainty just by watching me?

That answer matters more than you think.