Letitia Williams » The Mindset Shift Every Leader Needs in Times of Crisis

Being a great leader on a normal day is pivotal, but during a crisis, it’s critical. Your leadership is tested most when things feel uncertain and unstable. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) are becoming more common across industries—putting leaders, employees, and organisations under immense pressure.

Leadership isn’t just about overseeing and directing; it’s about inspiring and leading with confidence. In times of crisis, people look to their leaders for stability, reassurance, and direction. How you respond as a leader can determine whether your organisation weathers the storm or struggles under its weight.

Here’s the truth: leading through uncertainty requires a mindset shift. It’s no longer just about meeting targets and achieving goals; it’s about adaptability, decisive action, and maintaining clarity amid chaos. Even the most experienced leaders can feel overwhelmed, but adopting the right mindset can help you navigate disruption with strength and confidence.

The Leadership Mindset Shift You Need

What organisations need in turbulent times are leaders who are honest, transparent, authentic, and compassionate. The following mindset shifts will not only help you lead effectively during a crisis but also prepare you to handle future challenges with resilience.

1. Cultivate Personal Resilience

Reframe challenges as opportunities to learn, grow, and innovate. Self-awareness is key—understand your strengths and development areas so you can lead from a place of confidence. Practice self-regulation by managing your emotions and responses, ensuring that your decisions are grounded rather than reactive. And most importantly, invest in your physical and mental well-being—because a leader who prioritises wellness is better equipped to lead others.

2. Create Psychological Safety for Your Team

Your team is looking to you for guidance, but they also need a space where they feel safe to voice concerns, take initiative, and embrace challenges. Ask for feedback. Use simple but powerful questions like:

What should we stop, start, change, or continue right now?

By engaging your team, you gain insights and empower them to contribute to solutions.

3. Adopt a Neutral Mindset

When stress is high, it’s easy to fall into black-and-white thinking. But great leaders rise above personal biases and emotional reactions to make decisions based on facts, not fear. Instead of reacting impulsively, step back and ask yourself:

What is truly in the best interest of the organisation?

A neutral mindset allows for better decision-making, flexibility, and openness to multiple perspectives—all crucial in times of uncertainty.

4. Stay Aligned with Your Organisational “Why”

During a crisis, it’s easy to get lost in the immediate problem. But your mission, vision, and values should always guide your decisions. When you align your leadership with the bigger picture, you create stability and direction for your team. If you have 70% of the information, make the decision and adjust as needed. Clarity and action matter more than perfection.

5. Be Flexible, Adaptable, and Agile

Leading in a VUCA environment requires quick thinking, creativity, and a willingness to pivot. Stay open to new ideas and embrace innovation—it may lead to better outcomes than your original plan. And remember, leadership approaches aren’t one-size-fits-all. You may need to adjust your style to match the moment. Ask yourself:

What’s one thing I can do right now to improve this situation?

6. Don’t Lead in Isolation

Crisis leadership doesn’t mean carrying the burden alone. Seek mentorship, collaborate with peers, and engage with your network. Some of the best solutions come from conversations, shared experiences, and collective wisdom.

You Are Not Alone

If you’re feeling the weight of leadership during uncertain times, know that support is available. Coaching is a powerful way to process the cognitive and emotional demands of leading in a VUCA world—helping you build resilience, make clearer decisions, and lead with impact.

Ready to work with a coach? Reach out for a Complimentary Coaching Session today.