02 Apr HOW THE BEST CEOs LEAD EFFECTIVELY DURING TURBULENCE
Short on time? Click below to listen to Stacey’s newsletter.
Surprise… your world is in upheaval …. again.
Well, really it is a continuation. It is becoming more visible this week than it was several weeks ago.
I have been having many conversations with leaders, at all levels, about what is going on in the world right now, particularly around the implications of a potential fuel shortage or crisis and the impacts that may follow, and what should leaders focus on.
Let me share some ideas on this.
Whenever we are experiencing turbulence, change, even emergency, there are three core things that leaders need to keep in sight and put real time, attention, and energy into so they can be effectively leading. Leading not only themselves, but their people and their organisations.
1. FOCUS
This is about having specific focus on the things that are important. And that is not the same as urgency. Some of the important things will be urgent, some of them will not be urgent. It is often important and non-urgent things that make a difference over the long term.
For leaders, focus on the things that you uniquely can do, contribute to, and add value. Rather than trying to do everything. You have people around you to do some of these other things. Make sure you are making the biggest difference in ways that only you can, on the most important things. The things that really matter.
2. COMMUNICATION
The second critical area you need to keep on your radar is communication. It has been said before, but I will say it again: communication is one of the most important things that you need to do regularly, with consistency across a variety of channels, so that your people are not only informed and feel connected to you, but they can also trust you.
They can trust you are leading. They can trust you are going to share information with them. You bring a degree of certainty to your people when you communicate with consistency. And this certainty is so important when there is so much uncertainty in the world around them.
You can provide your people with a real service through your communication and, in doing this, also help them to be more productive, more effective, more engaged.
3. BUILD CAPABILITY
The third critical piece you need to keep on your radar and give real attention during any period like this is building capability. I see in times of change and turbulence there can be an unconsidered move to urgency, even on things that are not very important.
When people are feeling stressed or there is significant change or flux around them, it is critically important that you continue to build capability, particularly in your people. It is your people you need to have the confidence to do their jobs well, to be able to contribute to what the organisation is doing, maybe to creating solutions or opportunities in the environment that you are operating in.
If you stop building capability in your people, they will become less able, less equipped to do their roles and to participate. This does not serve them, does not serve their team, does not serve your organisation, your customers, anyone.
Having an ongoing commitment to building capability sets everyone up for success now, and in the future.
These are the three big keys to leading well through change and turbulence. My suggestion is to set some time aside, just half an hour or so, and really think about whether you have these three things on your radar.
How are you focusing specifically and only on the important?
Is your communication consistent, regular, and disciplined?
How are you continuing to build capability in your people?
I’d love to know your thoughts.
P.S. My new book, Confluence, launches on 19th April 2026. Your support has always meant a great deal, and I’d love your help in sharing it.
Please join this WhatsApp group for ready-to-use posts and updates you can easily pass on to your network.
#thecoachingleader #leadershipcoach #executivecoach #leadership #leaderascoach #thenewleader #selfleadership #selfcoaching #firstleadyourself #linkedintopvoices #staceyashley #ashleycoaching #amazonbestseller #speaker #author #leadershipdevelopment #management #showup21 #powerup #youreonmute #professionalwomen #personaldevelopment