Leading When Plans Fall Apart: 3 Mindset Shifts for Uncertain Times
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Let’s start with a number that’s hard to ignore:
70% of change initiatives fail.
Not because the ideas are bad. Not because the strategy is flawed. But because of one thing — resistance.
Resistance from teams, from individuals, and yes, sometimes even from ourselves.
Here’s a truth many leaders hesitate to say out loud: We’re not leading in predictable times anymore.
Plans crumble. Expectations shift. Priorities collide. And suddenly we’re left in the middle of the chaos, wondering:
“How do I lead when nothing’s going as planned?”
If that sounds familiar — you’re not alone. And the answer isn’t to lead harder.It’s to lead differently.
In my work with leaders at Spotify, Lego, Volvo, and many fast-moving, high-pressure environments, I’ve noticed a pattern: The leaders who thrive through uncertainty don’t wait for stability — they lead as if uncertainty were the new normal. Because, honestly, it is.
Here are three mindset and behavior shifts that make the biggest difference when things don’t go as planned:
1. Reframe Resistance
This one is big.
Most of us are conditioned to view resistance as a threat. But resistance is not the enemy — it’s feedback. It's the system saying:
“Something doesn’t feel safe yet.”
When people shut down, get quiet, or push back, your role isn’t to bulldoze through — it’s to get curious.
Instead of labeling someone as "difficult," try asking:
“What feels risky about this?”
It’s not defensive. It’s not blaming. It’s just opening the door.
And when people feel seen — truly seen — they start to shift. That moment when someone drops their armor... That’s where trust begins. And trust is the foundation of resilience.
🌀 What patterns of resistance do you see on your team? And how might you decode, rather than fight, them?
2. Lead With the Brain in Mind
Let’s talk neuroscience.
When faced with uncertainty, the human brain enters protection mode. Even minor ambiguity can trigger the same regions as physical pain.
If you’re introducing a new strategy while your team’s brains are in threat mode — chances are, nothing will stick. They don’t hear your vision — they hear their own fear.
That’s why great leaders create micro-certainty. They ground their teams with questions like:
“What do we know for sure today?”
“What’s within our control right now?”
“What’s one small win we can create together?”
These aren’t soft skills. They’re neuroscience-informed leadership tools that reduce stress and restore clarity. When people feel safe, they re-engage — mentally and emotionally.
Your job as a leader isn’t to shout from the top of the mountain. It’s to walk with your team, one step at a time.
🌀 Where can you create a little more certainty for your team today?
3. Choose Momentum Over Perfection
In uncertain times, the desire for perfection can become a trap. Many leaders freeze — waiting for the perfect plan or all the answers. But here’s what I’ve seen:
Your team doesn’t need you to be certain. They need you to be steady.
People don’t need you to know it all — they need to feel you’re in it with them, moving forward together. Leadership is about forward motion — even in the fog. You can try this simple framework:
Here’s what we know
Here’s what we’re still figuring out
Here’s how we’ll stay aligned
This structure keeps communication flowing and creates a sense of shared ownership — even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
And when your team sees you showing up with calm, clarity, and consistency... They stop waiting. They start acting. Proactively.
🌀 Where might perfection be slowing your progress? And how can you create momentum instead?
🚀 Leadership in Uncertain Times
True leadership today isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about being present, grounded, and brave enough to say:
“We may not have the whole map, but I trust we can walk it together.”
If you’re navigating change, pressure, or resistance — I see you.
You’re not failing. This is leadership.
If this resonated with you, let’s stay connected: 👉 Follow me on LinkedIn — I post insights like this weekly.
📘 And if you're interested in going deeper, check out my latest book: Performance Alchemy: Using Neuroscience and Coaching to Transform Performance, which recently hit #1 on Amazon in the category Change Management.
🎯 Curious how you're showing up under pressure?
I am offering a complimentary high-performance coaching session to the first 6 leaders who sign up. You’ll get a powerful snapshot of your leadership edge — where you're thriving, and what could unlock your next level.
Let’s keep growing. Not perfectly — but powerfully.
If you found this helpful, or liked it, forward it to someone navigating their own leadership challenges right now.
We’re in this together.
//Lizzie Claesson
High-Performance Coach
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