Leading Through the Fog: Why Uncertain Times Call for Intentional Leadership
There’s no shortage of noise right now. A new administration, evolving economic policies, market whiplash. Fear and hesitation are in the air.
And yet, I keep coming back to a simple truth: uncertainty has always been the backdrop of great leadership.
Some of the most iconic companies in American history were built during chaotic, uncertain times. Companies like Airbnb, Uber, and Slack, came out of the 2008 financial crisis. HP started in a garage in Palo Alto during the late stages of the Great Depression, Microsoft was founded during a recession in 1975. Mailchimp bootstrapped its way to success after the dot-com crash. When the world pulled back, these founders doubled down. When others paused, they kept building.
I saw this firsthand leading Venture For America during COVID. VFA was, at its core, a community. A tightly woven network of builders brought together by shared in-person experiences. Suddenly, those experiences disappeared overnight. No playbook. No precedent.
What got us through wasn’t strategy alone. It was connection. It was showing up for each other day after day, with honesty, empathy, and clarity of purpose.
That’s what real leadership looks like in hard times: not having all the answers, but being willing to lead with intention instead of reaction.
Here’s what I’m trying to remember and keep in mind:
1. Clarity is a leadership advantage. People crave direction when things feel uncertain. Even when you’re unsure of what’s next, being clear about where you are, and what matters most, builds trust.
2. Don’t mistake movement for momentum. It’s tempting to stay busy just to feel in control, but real progress comes from prioritizing. Focus on the work that truly moves the needle.
3. Culture is built in the hard moments. How you respond to stress, setbacks, and uncertainty will shape how your team shows up now and in the future. This is when values become visible.
4. Build relational equity. Your network, your team, your partners - these relationships matter more than ever. Invest time in people. Relationships compound just like capital does.
5. Bet on long-term talent. Even when others are hitting pause, keep your eyes open for the people who can grow with you. The best teams are built when others aren’t looking.
A Harvard Business Review study of 4,700 companies found that those who balanced cost discipline with bold investment outperformed peers by over 10% in sales and profit growth coming out of a downturn.
So if you’re building something right now, don’t be discouraged. The fog will lift. The economy will turn. And the decisions you make today, especially the ones you make about your team, will shape your future for years to come.
Stay focused. Double down. Build with intention.
This is how great companies, and great leaders, are made.
