Leading with Confidence through Uncertainty: 3 Tactics for Today's Business Leaders

VUCA – Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity – it’s the new normal. Whether it’s economic shifts, industry disruptions, or internal transformations, today’s leaders face the challenge of steering their teams through rapid change while keeping confidence steady. Confidence isn’t about pretending we have all the answers. It’s about resilience, focus, and clarity, especially when things feel unpredictable.

I have three tactics for your toolchest.

Get Clear on What you Know

When uncertainty is high, clarity becomes your anchor. Start by getting specific about what you do know: your purpose, goals, and non-negotiables. Identify and communicate what matters most to your team to help everyone stay centered. Even when the future is unclear, having a shared understanding of where you’re headed builds trust and confidence. Breaking down large tasks into smaller, focused steps provides your team with achievable milestones, turning “unknowns” into progress markers.

View the Change as "Opportunity" (aka a Growth Mindset)

Embracing a growth mindset can be transformative in times of change. Leaders with a growth mindset believe that skills and abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work (Dweck, 2006). This belief doesn’t just build confidence; it also fosters adaptability and innovation. Encourage your team to view challenges as learning opportunities rather than setbacks. When you actively model this mindset by learning from every experience—even failures—you normalize learning as part of the process. This approach enhances psychological safety, empowering everyone to try new things without fearing mistakes.

Get your Emotions in Check (and Model Resilience)

Your team looks to you as an emotional barometer. Emotional regulation, or the ability to manage your emotional response, is critical for fostering a calm, confident environment, especially when stress levels are high. According to Gross (2014), regulating emotions can positively impact decision-making and enhance leadership effectiveness. Practicing self-regulation techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, or reframing stressful situations can keep you grounded and steady. When your team sees you manage your emotions with composure, it signals that challenges can be faced without panic, reinforcing their confidence in the path forward.

As leaders, we don’t need to have it all figured out. We just need to show up with clarity, a willingness to learn, and the resilience to handle whatever comes our way. By embodying these strategies, you’ll foster an environment where confidence isn’t just a feeling but a shared belief in what your team can accomplish, no matter the uncertainty.

~Dr. Shannan

References 

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House. 

Gross, J. J. (2014). Emotion regulation: Conceptual and practical issues. In Handbook of emotion regulation (2nd ed., pp. 3–24). Guilford Press.