Leading Through Uncertainty: Reflections for CI Leaders
If you’re leading a team right now, in operations, transformation, or improvement, I don’t need to tell you how uncertain the world feels. We’re all talking about shifting markets, emerging technologies, global tensions, sustainability, hybrid expectations, job loss… it’s tough out there.
I’ve led teams through some very messy, very human times; redundancies, restructures, market shocks, tech failures, and I’ve seen that great leadership isn’t about pretending to have all the answers, or sweeping things under the carpet. It’s about creating the conditions for people to think clearly, act wisely and stay connected to purpose (and each other), even when the direction of travel isn’t clear.
Why I Believe CI Leaders Are Made for Times Like These
The more I reflect on it, the more I see that Lean thinking and CI principles are built for ambiguity. They offer us structure without rigidity. Discipline without dogma. A bias for thoughtful action over worrying.
When we’re unsure what the future holds, CI leaders can still help people find solid foundations:
- Visual management brings calm and shared understanding.
- PDSA cycles and A3 thinking give us a way to move forward, one step at a time.
- Respect for people reminds us to listen deeply and lead with humanity, not just efficiency.
I’ve spoken with several of our LCS community members recently, and the same message keeps emerging: the mindset of CI is the mindset we need most right now.
One Operational excellence leader told me,
“In uncertain times, I lead through rituals. We may not know what’s ahead, but we can keep a steady beat. That helps everyone feel safer.”
Another shared,
“I encourage curiosity in my team, when we’re unsure, we learn. That’s where our energy goes.”
The Emotional Labour of Leadership
Let’s not pretend this is easy. Leading through uncertainty is emotionally demanding. It requires courage, vulnerability, and an ability to hold space for ambiguity, often while you’re feeling it yourself.
But I believe that’s our work as leaders. Not to remove the uncertainty (because we can’t), but to lead in spite of it. To create trust, direction and learning and to model the behaviours we want to see.
If you’re supporting your people with honesty, presence, and intention — you’re doing the work.
Join Me for a Deeper Dive
This April, I’ll be hosting a special talk and workshop for our LCS Level 3 community: “Leading in Uncertain Times.” It’s designed to bring together senior improvement leaders for real conversation, practical insight, and shared learning.
We’ll explore:
- How to stay grounded and focused when the context is shifting.
- Tools that support adaptive, people-centred leadership.
- The inner work of showing up with clarity and compassion.
If you’re navigating complexity right now, or helping others do the same, I hope you’ll join us. It’s going to be rich, honest, and hopefully, inspiring.
