5 Effective Ways Leaders Can Help Their Teams Through Change and Uncertainty
Times of stress, uncertainty, and change are inevitable. Effective leadership is the key to keeping your team resilient while avoiding burnout and disengagement. Supporting your team through these times requires using practical, empathetic strategies that address the root causes of stress.
1. Come Back to the Mission
“Mission is king” is a great mantra in everyday business, and it becomes even more crucial during times of transition and uncertainty. A clear, strong mission provides purpose and direction, anchoring your team even when things are stressful. Your mission will help your team think beyond daily challenges and keep their eyes on what matters in the big picture.
As a leader, your job is to continually bring the work back to the mission. You might be tempted to try anything and everything when times are tough, but this is the time to be laser-focused on purposeful action. Make sure all initiatives and projects are directly connected to the mission. This mission-centered approach serves as a rallying point for more clarity and engagement.
2. Communicate More, Not Less
During uncertain times, a common mistake is to go silent—or to speak only in platitudes that don’t convey real information to your team. As a leader, this is when you need to be especially candid and transparent to maintain the connection and trust that you’ve built with your team.
- Transparency means openly sharing information, updates, decision-making processes, and obstacles with your team. If you don’t have new information or updates, then that’s what you need to tell them. Frequency of communication is important during these times.
- Being candid means being honest, direct, and straightforward. Now is not the time to sugarcoat things or avoid challenging topics. You don’t need to be brutally honest, but tell the truth and be abundantly clear about it.
3. One-On-One Conversations
Don’t overlook the power of truly listening to your team’s concerns. One-on-one conversations keep you connected to your team and will help you address individual needs and challenges. Ask questions and let them know you want to hear honest answers. If you aren’t sure about what they need, ask clarifying questions until you get to the root of things.
These conversations build trust and allow you to offer meaningful support when your team needs it most. Follow up and keep the dialogue going—show your team that you’re capable of navigating challenges together.
4. Offer Flexibility
Individual needs can shift rapidly during stressful times. Talk to your team and figure out what they need to stay engaged. Some might need a more flexible schedule. Others might benefit from remote work. Some will want more frequent meetings, while others will find that overwhelming.
- Be open to adjusting your approach based on what helps each person the most.
- Focus on outcomes, not rigid routines and schedules.
- Offer mental health resources or stress management tools.
5. Lean Into Strengths
Now is the time to delegate in a way that plays to your team’s strengths—and strengths can change in the face of challenges. Be aware of how each person handles stress and recognize where their strengths are under current circumstances. Some people are skilled at problem-solving when under stress, while others excel when they have more time to process, organize, and strategize.
Make sure the right tasks are in the right hands. Leaning into their strengths will build confidence and help your team feel more engaged and valued during challenging times.
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