How do you lead when certainty is gone?

But when leadership is more needed than ever. 

We’re living in a time of deep disruption. Global instability, political extremism, cultural fragmentation. The world shakes on multiple fronts. This isn't just “out there.” It enters our organizations. It enters our teams. And it enters us as leaders, and as human beings.

Polarization creeps into the workplace. People are tired. And many leaders are caught between performance pressure and the need to provide clarity, care, and direction.

In these conditions, old models of leadership based on control, certainty, and hierarchy simply don’t hold. What’s needed now is something quieter, more intentional, and far more powerful.

"Presence is more than just being there." It's a quote from Malcom Forbes and it invites for reflection. 

Lead where it matters

Leadership today is about presence. It’s about leading where it matters. Not from the sidelines. Not from a place of knowing-it-all. But from clarity, trust, and grounded intention, especially when the path is uncertain.

Consider the recent actions of Harvard University President Alan Garber. Amidst political pressures and the threat of losing substantial federal funding, he chose to uphold the university's core values. By refusing to comply with demands that conflicted with academic freedom and institutional integrity, Garber demonstrated that true leadership involves standing firm in one's principles, even when faced with significant challenges. His stance serves as a powerful example of leading with presence and conviction in turbulent times.

Five ways to lead where it matters

This is not a checklist, it's a reflection. A short and practical one on how to lead with impact when answers are scarce and pressure is high.

Of course, it’s easy to say these things from the outside. It’s easy to speak about presence, trust, and grounded intention when you're not the one in the fire. But when you're in it and when expectations are high, stakeholders are circling, and the next step isn’t obvious, it gets real. Fast.

That’s exactly when leadership matters most. And exactly when we’re most tempted to fall back on old patterns: control, speed, certainty. This reflection is not about getting it right. It’s about noticing. Where am I leading from? What am I reinforcing? What’s really needed now?

That pause might be the most powerful move you make. Now consider these five ways:

1. Lead with intention Without a clear why, even the best strategy drifts. Set direction by clarifying what really matters and revisit it often.

2. Cultivate grounded presence In a storm, people don’t look for the loudest voice. They look for the calmest. Your presence is your leadership.

3. Trust the process You don’t need every answer. You need the confidence to move with uncertainty and invite others to do the same.

4. Listen beyond the noise When stakes rise, so does the volume. Stay curious. Listen not just for what’s said, but for what’s emerging beneath it.

5. Shape with, not for Influence grows when people feel ownership. Bring others in early. Build together. Share the weight and the wins.

Leadership is not just a role. It’s a developmental path.

The question is not: Am I performing? 

The real question is: Am I growing? 

And even more importantly: Is the system growing with me?

To lead where it matters means noticing your own edges where you grasp for control, where you react instead of respond and choosing something different. Because as Martin Luther King Jr. said: "The ultimate measure of a leader is not where they stand in moments of comfort, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy."