I have been asking myself this question often lately. Between the COVID pandemic and now the political landscape, we have had to navigate many unsettling and uncertain times in the past five years. How do we make good decisions with so many unknowns? How do we provide reassurance when we don’t know what the future holds? How do we continue to expand our work without guarantee that we will have the resources to continue? I have been contemplating these questions lately. Here are some thoughts:
 
Be transparent, share information and don’t shy away from difficult conversations. Sometimes the unknown can be scarier than bad news. When people don’t have information or answers, they may fill in blanks with assumptions or inaccurate information. Even “maybes” from leadership can be better than no communication at all, so share what you know. Have the hard conversations. Be uncomfortable together. This will build trust among the entire team.
 
Seek input and listen. We are all in this together. Leaders' decisions affect the entire team, so seek input from the team when difficult decisions need to be made. Giving others the opportunity to have a voice can be comforting and reassuring.
 
Be nimble and flexible. Consider creative and innovative strategies. This isn’t the time to hold to a “this is the way we have always done it” type of culture. Be willing to try new things. Don’t be afraid to adapt.
 
Don’t forget the mission. We develop multi-year strategic plans and long-term goals to navigate us toward our mission. However, sometimes we need to focus on the mission rather than how to get there. Can we reroute and accomplish similar outcomes? What is critical to focus on? How can we prioritize immediate needs for ourselves and those we serve?
 
Leading through uncertainty can be stressful and chaotic. But, you are not alone. Lean on your team, they are in this with you. Learn how to navigate the storm together with transparency and trust.