We all have one specific memory when we felt a seismic shift in our lives. Maybe it was being let go amid budget cuts. Maybe it was choosing who you had to let go on your team during budget cuts. Maybe it was the new leadership at your company promising groundbreaking changes. 

Whatever the moment was for you, you remember the feelings around it. The uncertainty was palpable, and questions about how policies might affect budgets, hiring, or organizational missions felt more pressing than ever.

As unsettling as these moments can be, they also highlight the critical role of leadership. 

When the path ahead is unclear, teams turn to their leaders for guidance, reassurance, and a plan for moving forward. 

This is especially true for Black women leaders, who are often subject to extra scrutiny and must balance the dual pressures of professional excellence and community visibility. 

As the shifts continue in the coming days, weeks, and months, I wanted to share some strategies that have helped me and other women executives lead effectively through turbulent times without losing sight of our core values and long-term goals.

Reaffirm Your Vision and Values

A strong internal compass becomes your anchor when external circumstances seem unpredictable. Reaffirming your leadership vision and the values that guide you can help ground you and your team in times of chaos.

Action Steps:

• Write Down Your Core Values. For example, you may be committed to inclusivity, collaboration, or social impact. Explicitly stating these values can help you stay centered when decisions are challenging.
• Communicate Continuously: In uncertain periods, your team needs clarity about your values. Reiterate your vision in staff meetings, newsletters, and one-on-ones.

Cultivate Adaptability

Rapid change can mean reevaluating strategies on the fly. For Black women in leadership, adaptability also involves a heightened awareness of how changes might uniquely impact them and their communities. Flexibility isn’t about giving up on your plans but creatively navigating obstacles.

Action Steps:

• Scenario Planning: Outline a few likely scenarios—budget cuts, hiring freezes, policy changes—and draft how your team might respond.
• Delegate and Empower: Encourage your team to propose solutions so you’re not the only one pivoting strategies. Fresh perspectives often emerge during uncertain times.

Lead with Empathy and Transparency

Uncertainty can breed anxiety. Your team may feel concerned about job security, policy shifts, or organizational restructuring. As a Black woman executive, you might also grapple with personal concerns and the emotional toll of navigating changed power dynamics in broader society.

Action Steps:

• Hold Space for Concerns: Encourage open dialogue in team meetings or set aside office hours for one-on-one conversations. Acknowledging fears can ease tension and build trust.
• Be Honest About Unknowns: You don’t need all the answers. Transparency about what you do and don’t know fosters credibility and reassures your team that you’re in this together.

Set Clear, Short-Term Goals

Long-term plans might feel shaky when external factors keep shifting, but short-term wins can maintain momentum and morale. Establishing smaller, achievable goals gives your team something concrete to focus on, even if the bigger picture is in flux.

Action Steps:

• Break Down Big Initiatives: If a significant project feels daunting, segment it into one-month or even one-week objectives.
• Celebrate Quick Wins: Publicly recognize milestones, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement will energize your team and remind them that progress is possible despite uncertainty.

Engage Your Network and Mentors

Leaning on a supportive network during times of upheaval can offer new perspectives and emotional support. This is especially crucial for Black women, who may face unique challenges and experiences in executive roles. A strong professional community can help you feel less isolated.

Action Steps:

• Connect with Peers: Schedule virtual coffee chats or quick check-ins with fellow executives who understand your pressures.
• Join Professional Groups: Look for networks specifically focused on women leaders of color. Sharing challenges and solutions fosters resilience and collective insight.

Protect Your Well-Being

If you don’t care for yourself, leading through chaos becomes significantly more challenging. Emotional burnout can lead to mistakes, strained relationships, and diminished decision-making capacity.

Action Steps:

• Set Boundaries: Decide on hours when you’ll disconnect from emails and calls. Explain to your team and peers why this is important.
• Active Self-Care: Move beyond quick fixes—consider therapy, coaching, or peer support circles that address the emotional load of leadership during uncertain times.

Maintain a Structured System

Even the best strategies can unravel without a reliable framework for organizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, and tracking progress. A flexible yet structured approach ensures you stay on top of changing priorities.

Action Steps:

• Integrate Your Goals: Make sure your daily to-do lists and reminders tie back to your larger objectives.
• Stay Adaptable: Choose a system that allows quick pivoting. Keep notes and insights in a single place to revise plans without losing track of the essentials.

Leading with Courage and Adaptability

Leading through uncertainty can feel daunting—especially if you’re among the few Black women at the executive table, carrying the added weight of representation and community expectations. 

Yet, it’s precisely in these times that your leadership can shine the brightest. 

By staying true to your vision, setting achievable short-term goals, and prioritizing the well-being of yourself and your team, you’ll weather the storm and emerge stronger.

Remember: Uncertainty may define your environment, but you are entirely in control of how you lead, respond, and adapt. 

Stay grounded and flexible, and never lose sight of your potential impact—even when everything else seems to be in flux.