Standing in the Sun: Leading Through Uncertainty, Disruption, and Loss

I had a beautifully laid-out content plan. The best intentions, really—a regular writing routine to share insights from coaching leaders across the country.

Lately, however, very little has felt “routine.”

Life has been happening.

My oldest daughter is graduating high school and preparing to head to college out of state. I’ve been supporting my mom as she recovers from surgery. And in the midst of it all, I’ve been consulting on a major project with an unforgiving timeline.

All this is layered onto the collective uncertainty and upheaval we’ve been facing as a nation.

My first instinct in these moments? Hit snooze, pull the covers over my head, and resurface sometime in July. (Anyone else tempted?) But as appealing as retreat sounds, I’ve chosen to stand in the sun instead. (Any Scandal fans out there? You know the reference.)

I’m learning to step directly into the light and trust my ability to meet whatever is in front of me—even if that means swapping my open laptop for attending my daughter’s admitted students’ day or pushing deadlines to care for family.

I’ve also learned to embrace imperfection. To welcome the unanticipated outcomes that even my best-laid plans can’t avoid. This requires a deep breath, a willingness to stay agile, and acceptance of what lies outside my control.

And I’m not alone in this.

I hear echoes of these same struggles in my conversations with leaders across sectors. Many are navigating a shifting professional landscape that demands flexibility, adaptability, and resilience every single day.

Three challenges, in particular, keep surfacing:

• Uncertainty

• Disruption

• Loss

Each one carries with it a sense of losing control. And while we can’t always regain that control, we can choose how we show up. We can learn to stand in the sun—even when the forecast is unpredictable.

1. Uncertainty

At some point, every leader faces the unknown. Will funding come through? How will staffing shifts impact operations? What happens when policies change, or even the language we use to discuss work becomes uncertain?

Right now, these unknowns feel relentless. Leaders aren’t just managing their own fears—they’re guiding their teams through their own versions of uncertainty.

Ways to navigate uncertainty:

• Acknowledge it. Uncertainty can erode confidence and invite self-doubt. Name it. Talk about it with your team. Reassure yourself and others that while we may not have all the answers, we can navigate together. Reach out for support—from peers, mentors, coaches—who can offer perspective and guidance.

• Focus on what you know. While the unknown looms large, there are always anchors of certainty. What core mission or values remain unchanged? For example, if patient care is central to your organization, decisions aligned with that value can ground you. Focus energy and resources there.

• Practice self-compassion. These are extraordinary times, and no one has a playbook. Allow yourself the space to not know, pause, and feel the discomfort. Remember: You’re human.

2. Disruption

Change—especially ongoing change—is disruptive. And while disruption can bring growth, relentless upheaval without a horizon in sight wears down even the strongest leaders.

Ways to navigate disruption:

• Find stability where you can. Even amidst chaos, some things endure—a patient receiving excellent care, a committed team, ongoing projects. Let these be your anchors.

• Leverage resources creatively. Teams are resourceful. People can step into different roles; funding gaps can sometimes be bridged in unexpected ways. Invite your team into problem-solving—you might be surprised by what emerges.

• Seek and offer reassurance. Leadership can feel lonely, especially in hard times. Resist the urge to “power through” alone. Reach out to your network. Offer reassurance to your team, not necessarily with promises of certainty, but with your presence, your care, and your commitment to navigate together.

3. Loss

Leadership in these times carries so many layers of loss—of stability, of confidence, of identity. There’s the personal loss of colleagues and the professional loss of autonomy or resources.

Ways to navigate loss:

• Acknowledge it. Don’t rush past the grief that comes with loss. Give yourself and your team space to name what’s been lost.

• Identify and process emotions. Suppressing grief or anxiety doesn’t make them disappear. It’s okay to feel the weight of these times. Normalize these conversations in your workplace—it creates space for healing.

• Support others as you care for yourself. Your leadership is a model. By tending to your own emotional health, you make it safer for others to do the same.

Life is anything but routine right now. But showing up, imperfectly and vulnerably, is its own form of leadership. Standing in the sun—choosing to meet life as it comes, with openness and courage—is an act of resilience.

And if you’re struggling to find your footing? Know that you’re not alone. I’m walking this path too.

We can do this—together. If you’d like to explore how I can support you, schedule a free call with me here.