Leading in Uncertain Times, What You Bring to the Room Matters

You’re a leader in a thriving organization.

Business is good. Goals are being met. Turnover is low. On paper, everything looks strong. But thriving isn’t the same as healthy, and healthy organizations don’t always mean healthy people. People are carrying more than we can see. And good leaders pay attention to how the world is impacting them. Great leaders pay attention to how it’s impacting their people.

You don’t need to be plugged into every headline to feel it. The heaviness is in the air – sometimes it's spoken, but more often it goes unspoken.

The truth is, the heaviness people are carrying often isn’t tied to one particular issue. We’re all moved, motivated, discouraged, or drained by different things. Politics, social issues, the economy, global conflict, personal stress—the source doesn’t matter as much as the weight. It feels like everything is happening, to everyone, everywhere, all at once. If the movie title "Everything Everywhere All At Once" weren’t already taken, it might’ve been the perfect name for this post!

Emotional Undercurrents at Work

We’re navigating more than just the tasks on our to-do lists. We’re carrying stress, worry, distraction, discouragement, and more – all of which can lead to a quiet exhaustion that doesn’t get named out loud. And when the outside world feels loud, heavy, and uncertain, it’s not surprising that it affects how people show up at work.

It’s easy to look around and think, “We’re fine. We’re hitting our goals. People seem okay.” But leadership isn’t just about operational stability. It also requires emotional presence. It’s about tuning in to the mood in the room and leading with intention.

I'm talking about emotional fatigue. It’s just as real as physical fatigue, but it’s not the same. Physical tiredness can come from something good: a great workout, a fun night out, a day full of laughter. You’re exhausted, but it’s good fatigue. It comes with happy hormones. Emotional fatigue doesn’t work that way. It lingers. It drains you even when nothing seems wrong. And it’s harder to name, harder to shake, and it comes to work with us. That exhaustion isn’t always physical, and it doesn’t always come from overwork.

Steady Doesn’t Mean Perfect

As leaders, we aren't immune. We may also be feeling weary, maybe even struggling to keep it together sometimes. That's okay. People don’t need us to be perfect. They need us to be real, consistent, and emotionally available, especially during times of uncertainty.

We often confuse resilience with being tough. That “Buck up” mindset. But real resilience isn’t about being unaffected – it’s about being intentional in how we respond, especially when we’re affected. This isn’t about pretending we’re fine or pushing through at all costs. It’s about being aware of what’s happening, staying connected to our values, and choosing how to move forward from that place of clarity.

Despite your fatigue, you don’t have the luxury of sitting on the sidelines as a leader. You have to keep it together – not to be perfect, just to be steady. Resilience matters because leadership isn’t just about how much you can carry. It’s about how you carry it – and whether you can keep showing up in a way that others can rely on, what they need, and what they expect of their leaders.

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. When you tend to your own capacity, you create space to show up with presence, steadiness, and intention – especially when the pressure is high.

And what you bring to the room matters. In moments like these, people aren’t looking for all the answers. They’re looking for steadiness. For someone who’s paying attention. For signs that it’s okay to not be okay—and that how they feel isn’t invisible.

Responding With Presence

Leading in uncertain times doesn’t require a dramatic response. It requires a human one. Acknowledging the weight people are carrying, even in small ways, can create space for trust. For exhale. For clarity. And when you show up with that kind of grounded presence, it steadies others, too.

This kind of leadership isn’t flashy. It’s felt.

• It’s the check-in before the meeting starts.

• The grace you give when someone’s distracted.

• The willingness to pause, ask, and listen.

• The quiet steadiness that signals: I see you. I’m here.

It’s emotional labor, yes. But it’s also leadership work.

Because even when everything is going great in your organization, the people inside it might still be struggling. And what you bring to the room matters.