How to lead with resilience, empathy and vision despite an uncertain future

The opinions expressed by entrepreneurs contributors are their own.

People are struggling right now. With inflation rates hitting a 40-year high, nearly half of Americans are struggling to make ends meet. Many are still adjusting after a disrupted life as we knew it, and the world seems to be becoming more embroiled in social and geopolitical unrest every day.

We live in uncertain times with an even more uncertain future, and employees and leaders alike can feel their legs wobble under the weight of it all.

Times of change fundamentally blur our view of the future, and it can be difficult to see even a few feet ahead of us. In times like these, it is up to leaders to meet the challenges of our current environment, cut through the cacophony of the outside world, and inspire their teams to work toward the mission at hand.

Related: The 3 Cs of Executive Leadership in Uncertain Times

Avoid leadership pitfalls

Leadership on a good day in a good year is hard enough. The current environment we live in makes it even more difficult for leaders to achieve their vision and empower their employees. An employee may leave unexpectedly due to difficulties in their family life and you will have to scramble to find a replacement. A key customer may stop using your service due to budget cuts, or you may have a low revenue shift and see your inventory tank.

When faced with instability, it is easy for leaders to lead from fear rather than faith. Psychoanalyst Karen Horney has described three that many turn to in times of stress and pressure: reaching out to others, moving away from others, and going against others.

The one who goes to people can become more docile and constantly seek validation and reassurance from others. If the leader withdraws from people, they will become passive, avoiding conflict and hiding from social interactions. The leader who acts against people resorts to hostility. They become controlling and easily triggered by anger, creating a dangerous workplace.

These coping mechanisms could cause people to lose trust in their boss, disengage from the workplace, or seek out new ones. Leaders must be vigilant and take care of their own mental, physical, and spiritual health to avoid these pitfalls and turn a difficult time into a catastrophic one.

Related: This Ancient Philosophy Is The Key To Getting Through Turbulent Times

Working with the new normal, not against it

Once leaders have made sure that they are capable of doing this, it is time to turn to the needs of their employees. What we see as leaders is only a fraction of the day-to-day picture. Much of the work done in an organization is not tangible, and with hybrid working, 80% of your team can be dispersed, virtually working in five different time zones. In this context, how can we create a workplace that meets the needs of employees and allows them to stay focused, engaged and aligned?

It starts with assessing what our employees really want and feel is missing in our organization. Some might be looking for more interpersonal relationships, while others may need stronger childcare support. Half of your staff may want a return to in-person work, while others may thrive in the quiet of their homes. Many are probably struggling to stay emotionally grounded and trying to find more meaning in their daily lives.

To meet the many conflicting needs of employees, leaders must work within the new work environment rather than against it. To create a...