Over a decade ago, I began to focus my work, my writing, and my speaking on how, as leaders, we might navigate a world that was changing rapidly—so rapidly that periods of relative stability, time to catch our breath, or time to put together and then execute a well-thought-out plan ceased to exist.
Ten years ago, innovations, especially in technology, had adoption curves of months rather than decades. Workforce demographics were changing rapidly. The relative ease of communication, transportation, and commerce globally brought both opportunities and disruption.
I honed my thoughts in two ways. First, through a nerdy dive into research, thought leadership, courses, and workshops. Second, through deep observation and reflection on my work in “change management” with several large projects across various industries—technology projects, mergers, and turnarounds.
The core theme that emerged was that when the world around us was unsteady and appeared to be spinning at breakneck speed, our best strategy was to lean into what was stable and unchanging. That stability did not come from the outside; it came from deeply within. I call that our “Inner Core”—with values deeply embedded in the center, our strengths in the next layer out, and finally ringed by our passions.
When our Inner Core is strong, we can be both strong and flexible, adaptive and steady—the calm place in the eye of the storm. Our Inner Core can be the place where we are unwaveringly steady, where we can stand tall on solid ground.
Today, I admit that I could not have even begun to envision the turbulence we are experiencing in the U.S. in the last few months. AI is shaking up business and education, and even my light forays into its usage are both awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping. The U.S. is divided, and the new president seems hell-bent on destroying the balance of power that has served the country through tough times over the past 250 years. Mother Earth’s response to the many years we have plundered rather than protected her has given us a climate that is capricious, with catastrophic fires, floods, hurricanes, and tornados. The world order of relative stability since World War II seems to be fracturing before our eyes.
This has caused me to revisit my advice from 2014 and ask if my work of a decade ago is still relevant today. Is being strongly grounded in your values, leveraging your strengths, and finding ways to do things you are passionate about enough in today’s world? Do we need to do more? Find new ways to navigate in these terribly turbulent times?
My reflection has led me to this conclusion: the turbulent times of a decade ago called for a strong Inner Core. The terribly turbulent times we face today require an even stronger and enhanced Inner Core.
My Original Thinking (2014) vs. My Enhanced Thinking (2025)
In turbulent times (2014), our Inner Core is our position of strength and flexibility. It enables us to stay grounded in something unchanging and step into an uncertain world by:
- Clearly identifying our values and using them to guide our decisions.
- Knowing our unique strengths to use them more often, providing both efficiency and a sense of fulfillment.
- Finding ways to do things we are passionate about, which fuels our energy and prevents burnout.
In terribly turbulent times (2025), our Inner Core must take on both a more active role, and we must take additional actions to manage through the turbulence by:
- Values become even more important in guiding our actions. It’s essential to know what they truly are. We need to live them. And more importantly, we need to be willing to do the hard work of defending them in the face of opposition.
- Strengths are even more critical. When we operate in our strengths, we do our best work. Reframing how they might come to bear in today’s situation can be both a valuable coping mechanism and a way to move work forward efficiently.
- Passion gives us energy but may also create burnout. We need to guard our personal energy by finding alternative energy sources. Knowing what replenishes your energy is critical, as is taking time to “fill your tank.”
Always the practical one, I ask: what tangible actions might one take to traverse these terribly turbulent times? (How’s that for alliteration?)
Tips for Navigating Extreme Disruption
- Reaffirm, then Live Into Your Core Values
- When everything around you is shifting, your values should be both your anchor and your North Star. Revisit and reinforce what truly matters to you (or your team or organization).
- If you can’t name them, find a way to determine your top 3 to 5 values. (Hint—this is Chapter 1 in my book The Leader’s Guide to Turbulent Times.)
- If you can name them, test their salience by observing where you spend your time, money, and resources. Adjust accordingly.
- When faced with tough decisions or situations, continually ask: How do my core values guide my actions?
- Stay Adaptable Without Losing Integrity
- Be open to change while ensuring that adjustments align with your ethical foundation. Flexibility should not come at the cost of your principles.
- Curiosity can be the first step to adaptability. Ask lots of questions, such as:
- What do I truly know about this situation?
- What assumptions am I making?
- What are some other ways to look at or approach this situation?
- When have I faced something similar in the past? What can I learn from that experience?
- What would those I look up to and admire do in this situation?
- Make Decisions Rooted in Purpose
- Every decision should reflect either your personal or organizational mission. Stay purpose-driven rather than reactionary.
- Use a strong ethical framework to guide choices, even when short-term losses seem inevitable.
- Discuss choices with your team or trusted colleagues and friends.
- Avoid being reactionary—these actions seldom lead to good outcomes. Take a breath. Sleep on it. Write about it.
- Strengthen Your Support Network
- Surround yourself with advisors, mentors, and peers who can provide guidance, challenge your thinking, and offer perspective.
- There is strength in numbers. Find others creating communities where people are seen, heard, and cared for.
- If you can’t find a community, create one yourself!
- Make Self-Care a High Priority
- A simple model to follow is to tend to these three needs daily:
- Physical: Move your body—walk, run, swim, do yoga, or whatever calls to you.
- Mental: Read something of substance, learn something new, or challenge your mind with a puzzle or problem.
- Spiritual: Pray, meditate, journal, listen to inspiring music, or visit sacred spaces—whether a church, synagogue, mosque, or nature.
- Practice mindfulness techniques like breathwork, meditation, or mantras.
- A simple model to follow is to tend to these three needs daily:
- Find the Hidden Opportunities in Chaos
- Disruption can shake confidence. Develop a mindset that sees obstacles as opportunities and failures as lessons for growth.
- Some of the greatest opportunities come from volunteering and supporting organizations that reflect your values. Helping others is a sure-fire way to help ourselves.
At a recent dinner, a valued colleague and I bemoaned the state of the world. We vented, expressed our frustrations, and wallowed for a while. Then, we turned inward and asked: What could we do?
I left with a commitment to find something uniquely suited to me that could make a difference. After a week of reflection, journaling, and soul-searching, an idea emerged—a retreat where people can gather, support one another, and engage in mindfulness practices that are invaluable in these turbulent times.
I don’t have all the answers. But I believe that when people gather and share, wisdom emerges. Loads are lightened. Ways forward unfold.
If you feel called, join me for this retreat. Space is limited, but if demand exceeds capacity, I will offer it again.
Traversing Turbulent Times: April 17 and 18 – Oakwood Retreat Center, Selma, IN
Change—especially the kind that feels fast, uncertain, or overwhelming—can leave even the most capable leaders feeling unsteady. This retreat offers a chance to step away, reflect, and find a clear path forward in the midst of disruption.
Through guided conversations, personal reflection, and mindfulness practices, you’ll gain:
- Ways to lead with steadiness and purpose when your organization or world feels unsettled
- Personal strategies to stay grounded in times of rapid change
- A fresh perspective on what’s next, even when the future looks different than expected
You’ll experience a mix of group dialogue, quiet time, and mindfulness practices like music, meditation, and breathwork. Massages are also available for those who want an extra layer of renewal.
Set in the peaceful woodlands of Oakwood Retreat Center, this retreat offers both rest and inspiration. It includes home-cooked farm-to-table meals and space to wander the surrounding nature preserve.
Come as you are, step back from the chaos, and leave with a renewed sense of direction.
$300 per person – Go here to request more information.
As usual, I lean into people far wiser than me, to shape my thoughts. For this blog, I used these resources:
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way we Live, Love, Parent and Lead by Brene Brown
Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty
Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told to Do is Wrong by Ira Chaleff
The Courageous Follower: Standing Up and For Our Leaders by Ira Chaleff
To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political Followers to Make or Brake a Toxic Leader by Ira Chaleff
Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen
