Leaders Share Strategies for Keeping Teams Aligned During Uncertainty
Fast Company interviewed leaders who shared 25 strategies for maintaining team alignment during uncertain times. Key approaches include open communication, clear vision, and building trust.
Business uncertainty can create anxiety, but how leaders navigate these periods can determine whether teams stay on course. Fast Company polled members of its Impact Council for their go-to strategies for keeping teams aligned during unpredictable times.
Leaders emphasized honesty and openness when sharing uncertainty. "Over communication is better than the opposite," stated Ed Mitzen of the Business For Good Foundation. Communicating that everyone is "in it together" can reduce anxiety and build trust.
A clear vision and values serve as a "north star" for decision-making. Phillip Haid of Public Inc. described how the company's public code guides all actions, especially during turbulent times. Transparency builds trust, reduces uncertainty, and makes employees feel valued.
Leaders' roles involve providing clarity on what can be controlled, rather than attempting to predict everything. "You don't need to see the entire road ahead, just the stretch right in front of you for now," advised Maril Gagen MacDonald of Gagen MacDonald. It is crucial to clarify what can be controlled and how to move forward, while acknowledging what cannot be controlled.
Strategies also included keeping teams flat and cross-functional for rapid information flow. Adam L'Italien of Liberty Mutual Insurance stressed that purpose keeps teams aligned when the ground shifts. Purpose clarifies what matters most and encourages rapid experimentation and learning, fostering a culture of collaboration.