How to Lead When the Path Ahead Is Uncertain

Brad Fauteux

If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we can never know what’s coming next. This doesn’t always mean something bad, but it’s important we prepare for anything.

As business leaders, the stress can pile on. When outside sources of stress, like a pandemic, add another layer, it can be difficult to stay resilient. We see our business and people struggling financially, which can cause mental and emotional stress. Sometimes the best thing to do in these situations is go back to what we have always known.

It’s crucial to remember that the people who you lead day in and day out are humans with emotions and pressures same as you. This can help keep a positive mindset toward yourself and those around you. The pandemic also gave me time to take a step back and remember why we do the work we do.

With closings all over the globe, I saw more people going outside and taking advantage of the natural environment and wildlife that surrounds us. I saw the trails going to use and people appreciating the beauty of the natural world around us. While I was overjoyed to see this, I still felt pain for the families suffering from the losses due to the pandemic.

I needed to find new ways to connect and stay focused.

Here are some key actions I took to develop a stronger attitude and keep pushing forward. I call them “Three A’s to the new normal for Leadership”:

  1. Adaptation: COVID-19 took everything we were used to and turned it upside down. I was forced to take technology head on, finding new ways to communicate effectively over video chat, telephone, email that I will continue to use even when business returns to “normal.” Technology found a way to help people during this pandemic, keeping businesses afloat and keeping families close who couldn’t see each other in person every day.
  2. Attitude: I had to reframe my thinking. In the beginning of the pandemic, I felt very low. I knew I couldn’t spend all day thinking about why this happened and how terrible it was for everyone globally, though this was true. I knew we would need to stay focused on how we can now learn and strive to do better from here.
  3. Acceptance: Eventually, I accepted the situation. It took some time, but once I saw this as the new reality, my focus kicked in and I started to reshape how I saw things.

When people and businesses work together, almost nothing is impossible. The end result becomes resilience and a stronger sense of purpose. Businesses and professional and personal relationships everywhere have been affected by COVID-19. Although, with some resilience and patience, we as leaders can continue to shed light through any uncertain path.