March 13, 2024

Leading In Uncertainty Requires Leadership Development

Deborah Wilson

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For leaders, uncertainty remains a constant factor. Changing political and economic landscapes influence strategies and organisational direction. These uncertainties coupled with technological complexities, contribute to an ongoing landscape of challenges that require leaders to have a plan. Leadership development becomes a strategic imperative, offering a pathway for leaders to cultivate the resilience, foresight, and adaptability required to thrive amidst perpetual change.

Leadership Development Toolkit

It may be a little overwhelming to contemplate but these issues provide a mere snapshot of the situations that are forcing leaders to really think about leadership development through uncertain times.

Often, leaders end up circling back to one very important question:

“What are all our stakeholders (staff members, suppliers, customers, and the wider community) really expecting from our organisation now and in the near future”?

Uncertainty does not have to mean that business results dry up. It does not necessarily have to mean that organisations must retreat from their ambitious business projections for 2020 and beyond. However, these times require very deliberate leadership and at the centre of this is quality communication and listening.

If you think back to a time when you truly admired a leader in the workplace, you’re likely to find that what made them stand out from other bosses or colleagues, was their ability to effectively communicate. Communication and listening are two leadership development skills that successful leaders have in abundance. Both are even more important during uncertain times and as most of us know from experience, regular, clear and transparent communication isn’t everyone’s ‘go-to’ leadership style, particularly when we are under pressure and feel as though the weight of the world is on our shoulders.

The Route Forward

The good news is that with the right mindset, planning and support, everyone can undertake leadership development and improve their communication and listening skills under pressure. Think of an Olympic athlete who trains for four years to have a chance at achieving their dream. They have all kinds of coaches on their side and engage in activities repeatedly, including pressure testing.

Working through times of difficulty is challenging, but the truth is there will always be circumstances that rock people to the core and make them feel as though they don’t know what’s around the corner. As a leader, one of your biggest challenges is always how to motivate the people around you so that their fear of the ‘what if?’ does not debilitate them but instead drives them to achieve bigger and better things together.

The value of leadership development during uncertain times lies in its transformative impact on individuals. By investing in the growth and refinement of leadership skills, you can become resilient and visionary to adeptly navigate the complexities of a dynamic world. Today we briefly touched on communication and listening but there are many others. Leadership development programs not only enhance essential skills such as communication, strategic thinking, and adaptability but also cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. If you are looking to realise the true potential of your leadership by developing your authentic ability to drive real change, we can help. OnTalent will work with you to establish the best overall program adapted to your unique needs and concerns. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] to see how we can support you.

Deborah Wilson is a Thought Leader and a Career Strategist. She takes a personalised approach to strategic career coaching and career transitions, mentoring and leadership development. Deborah provides expert guidance for individuals whilst supporting organisations through change and connecting people and purpose. Call Deborah on +61 403 779 746. www.ontalent.com.au