Leading Through Uncertainty

The day I walked away from my corporate role at Microsoft, I thought I was stepping into freedom. Instead, it felt like free fall.

No roadmap. No guarantees. Just me, staring at a blank page, wondering if I’d made the biggest mistake of my career.

My instinct? Overcompensate. Fill every gap with more effort, more hustle. But resilience didn’t come from doing more. It came from pausing, reconnecting with my values, and making decisions from alignment instead of fear.

That shift changed everything and it’s the same shift I now teach leaders navigating uncertainty.

WHAT

Uncertainty isn’t a passing storm, it’s the climate we’re living in.

Layoffs, shifting priorities, and unpredictable markets have made resilience the most critical leadership skill of this decade.

But resilience isn’t just about surviving the turbulence. It’s about staying grounded, making clear decisions, and leading with courage when everything feels shaky

WHY

Here’s the truth: uncertainty doesn’t just show up when you quit a job. It shows up when you think about quitting and then talk yourself out of it because the unknown feels scarier than staying stuck.

I hear this all the time: “I hate this role, but what if the next move is worse?”

That fear keeps brilliant women in jobs that drain them, in careers that no longer fit.

But remember it’s not weakness, it’s human. Our brains crave certainty. But certainty isn’t coming. What’s coming is change. And resilience is what makes that change possible without burning out.

HOW

Resilience isn’t about gritting your teeth and pushing through. It’s about building the inner capacity to lead yourself and others through uncertainty. Here’s where to start:

1. Anchor Before You Act
Before you make the next big decision, pause and ask: What do I need to feel grounded right now? This single question interrupts the spiral of fear and brings clarity back into the equation.

2. Redefine Control
You can’t control the market, the layoffs, or the uncertainty. But you can control your energy and focus. Set boundaries around what drains you and double down on what strengthens you, whether that’s strategic thinking time, movement, or mentorship.

3. Lead From Alignment, Not Fear
Fear-driven decisions feel urgent but rarely serve your long-term vision. Alignment-driven decisions feel calm and clear. Use this filter: Does this choice reflect who I’m becoming or who I’ve been?

These aren’t soft skills. They’re survival skills for leaders who want to thrive in uncertainty.

If this sounds true for you, pause and honor it.

You don’t have to leap. You just have to listen.

Until next week,

Jaspreet