I once led a nonprofit facing an uncertain future due to likely funding cuts. This ambiguity created a climate of anxiety and speculation for all our stakeholders. Everyone was upset and distracted by what might happen. My leadership skills were put to the test as I worked to guide us to sustainability while managing day-to-day operations. This experience taught me valuable lessons about leading through uncertainty, highly relevant to today’s leaders facing uncertain revenue, shifting markets, and evolving expectations.

“Leadership can be tough under the best of circumstances,” states an American Psychological Association (APA) webinar on leading through uncertainty. But what happens when the path forward changes rapidly, is unclear or unknown — and you now have to manage those dynamics on top of continuing to actually run the business?

“In times of uncertainty, we turn to organizational leaders for direction,” says Lindy Greer, professor of management and organizations at the Michigan Ross School of Business, in a recent article on leadership. She emphasizes collaboration, driving results, innovation, and providing structure, along with a focus on people and purpose, as crucial skills for leaders in turbulent times.

I agree. Managing the nonprofit through potential defunding taught me the importance of a clear vision — a compelling “why” — and a focus on people. Just as we needed a renewed sense of purpose, today’s organizations need a strong, shared understanding of their mission.

A recent article in Wharton Magazine states: “The best leaders navigate uncharted territory and challenging times by sharing a compelling vision, communicating, and letting people know they matter.” Leaders must articulate the vision and connect it to individual roles, reducing confusion and anxiety. Reframing challenges as opportunities can further motivate teams.

Communication is paramount. Leaders must share what they know and acknowledge what they don’t. Transparency was essential during our funding crisis. I didn’t have all the answers — but I did have the ability to reemphasize the vision, develop various scenarios and to share how we were planning for those possibilities and provide timelines for communication.

Ultimately, leading through uncertainty hinges on people. Choosing to lead with vision, communicate transparently, and prioritize people distinguishes effective leaders in uncertain times, whether facing funding shortfalls or global disruptions.

I turned to local leaders for advice on leading through uncertainty.

Tim Coonan, vice president, Hubbell Realty Co.: There is no such thing as “times of certainty.” I have had the good fortune to lead people in the military, in business and in volunteer work. Below are a few of the lessons I have learned along the way:

• Be decisive and have a steady hand.
• Take all of the blame and none of the credit.
• Know your own weaknesses and seek self-improvement.
• Admitting fault and course correction are signs of strength, not weakness.
• Never strive to be or think you are the smartest person in the room. The smartest person in the room is the room.
• Understand the strengths and weaknesses of team members and put them in  positions to succeed.
• Stay focused on the mission but take care of your team members in every way possible.
• Above all else, keep your sense of humor.

Anne Cooper, Ph.D., industrial/organizational psychologist and global HR executive: As a transformational leader, I’ve had the opportunity to drive changes across a variety of organizations in several countries and environments. We tend to think that change and disruption are a result of difficult business circumstances and headwinds, but positive change — such as an acquisition of a company or taking a private company public through an IPO — can be just as unsettling for leaders and their teams. These growth strategies bring rapid change, requiring new skills and strong leadership in new contexts. Key tips that have served me well during my career:

• Share your vision: Ensure everyone understands the importance of the change and their role in it.
• Communicate openly: Maintain clear and consistent communication to build trust and keep everyone informed, offering time for discussion.
• Lead by example: Get clear on your own reactions to the big change, demonstrate integrity, commitment, and openness, setting the tone for the team and broader organization.
• Strengthen team culture: Reinforce company values, purpose and mission to keep the organization united and strong.

Renee Hamlen, chief marketing officer – benefits and protection, Principal: As a leader, it’s not my job to have all the answers. But rather, my goal is to empower teams by providing clarity on desired outcomes and solving problems. This requires courageous, sometimes uncomfortable conversations (embracing “kind” but not necessarily “nice”) and ensuring folks feel psychologically safe to take measured risk and fail fast. Especially when new to a role like I am now, I spend a good part of my day asking a lot of questions and seeking to understand and connect dots.

Gilmara Vila Nova-Mitchell, Vistage chair, executive coach at Sarah Noll Wilson & Leadership Consultant: Uncertainty is an inevitable part of both business and life. Leaders can navigate uncertainty by embracing flexibility, maintaining open communication, focusing on empathy and making incremental decisions.

• Maintain open communication: Share as much relevant information as possible, even if it’s limited. Keeping the team informed reduces fear and builds trust.
• Embrace flexibility and adaptability: Be flexible and open to new ideas so the team can adjust to changing circumstances without losing momentum.
• Lead with empathy: Offer emotional support, showing understanding, and being accessible. Empathy and an emotional connection help the team maintain morale during difficult times.
• Make small, incremental decisions: Break daunting decisions down into smaller steps. This helps the team feel less overwhelmed and gives the team clearer guidance on moving forward.

By being intentional about these strategies leaders can help teams navigate uncertainty with confidence, resilience and a sense of shared purpose.