When Progress Meets the Unexpected: Leadership Lessons in Letting Go
How to Stay Grounded in 2025
As this year comes to a close, I want to share a recent experience that resonated with me—a reminder of a truth many of us face in senior roles, whether leading teams or making an impact individually: the realization of how much lies beyond our control.
Over the past months, I've watched accomplished professionals across industries apply the SHIFT framework to navigate their organizational challenges. Whether in tech startups, educational institutions, healthcare systems, or nonprofits, the framework has proven to be a reliable guide—helping leaders understand the landscape, equipping them with a compass, and showing how its principles translate across industries and roles. I’ve been making meaningful progress toward the impact I want to create in the world. It felt like climbing a mountain, with each step bringing me closer to a clearer and more expansive view.
Then came unexpected personal news, and another mountain range appeared on the horizon.
The Illusion of Control
As accomplished professionals, we're trained to believe in our ability to shape outcomes. We create strategic plans, risk mitigation strategies, contingency plans. These tools are necessary and valuable. But they can mask the reality of uncertainty, making us believe that if we just plan well enough or work hard enough, we can reach exactly where we want to go, precisely when we want to get there.
What Actually Works
Here's what I'm learning (again): Sustainable leadership isn’t about avoiding the unexpected but learning how to navigate it with grace. It’s about letting go of what we can’t control and focusing on what truly matters.
This isn't defeatist. It's liberating. When we release the exhausting illusion of control, we can focus our energy on what actually matters:
Our Internal State: How we regulate ourselves in the face of challenge.
One leader I worked with—a nonprofit executive facing budget cuts—used the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise to stay calm during stressful meetings. When tensions ran high, they took a brief pause to focus on their surroundings: identifying 5 things they could see, 4 they could touch, 3 they could hear, 2 they could smell, and 1 they could taste. This simple practice helped them reconnect with the present moment and respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively. Whether it’s grounding exercises like this, mindful breathing, or even a short walk, small practices can anchor us amid uncertainty."
Our Response Choice: How we decide to move forward, step by step.
A leader I recently coached faced a sudden market shift. Instead of rushing to overhaul their strategy, they paused to reassess their goals and involved their team in co-creating a new path forward. Taking deliberate, incremental steps not only created clarity but also reinforced team trust and alignment..
Our Impact Focus: How we show up for others despite our own uncertainty.
One client shared how, even amidst their own professional challenges, they prioritized regular check-ins with their staff. By creating space for open conversations, they inspired their team to connect through difficulties together. Showing up authentically for others doesn’t mean having all the answers—it means being present and creating a sense of shared purpose.
Through my current experience and the progress I’ve witnessed in others, I'm reminded that sustainable leadership isn't about avoiding mountains or new frontiers.
It's about:
Staying Present
Acknowledging what's actually happening right now
Finding our center when overwhelm hits
Maintaining Perspective
Remembering that growth often comes disguised as disruption
Staying open to unexpected gifts within challenge
Finding Authentic Support
Creating space for vulnerability in our leadership.
Building networks of mutual support
The question isn't whether another mountain range will appear. It will. The question is: Can we find the courage to release our grip on control, center ourselves in the midst of uncertainty, and stay open to unexpected beauty along the way?
As we face new mountains together, let’s remember that growth often comes disguised as disruption. By staying present, grounded, and open to support, we can navigate even the steepest climbs. Here’s to all of us—climbing with courage, one step at a time.
Enjoy the upcoming holidays. May they bring peace, comfort, and connection.
Upcoming Events to Support Your Leadership Journey
As we step into 2025, I’m thrilled to share new opportunities to support you in navigating the complexities of leadership with greater confidence and ease. Whether you’re navigating political transitions, embracing hybrid work, or seeking ways to maintain well-being amidst rapid change, these programs are designed to help you stay grounded, resilient, and impactful.
Here’s what’s coming up:
Free Webinar: Leading Through Political Transitions (January 9th, 11AM EST):
Political transitions bring uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change to organizations. This live event equips leaders with strategies to navigate shifting priorities, foster adaptability, and align purpose with impact—all while maintaining team morale and psychological safety. Join us for interactive discussions and practical tools to lead effectively through challenging times.
View Event →SHIFT Foundations Course Launch (January 14):
The SHIFT Foundations Course is designed for leaders navigating the relentless pace of workplace change, offering a research-based framework that integrates organizational psychology and neuroscience. This 12-module, self-paced program equips you with tools to build self-awareness, foster psychological safety, align purpose with impact, and adapt to continuous change—all while maintaining genuine connection in hybrid environments. With live monthly sessions, a supportive community, and optional coaching, SHIFT Foundations provides practical strategies to help you lead effectively and sustainably in today’s complex environment.
View Event →SHIFT Experience Beta Launch (February 10):
The SHIFT Experience Course is an immersive 8-week program designed for senior leaders facing today’s unique workplace challenges. Combining personal development with actionable strategies, this cohort-based program focuses on self-regulation, psychological safety, adaptability, and purpose alignment. With live coaching sessions, tailored assessments, and peer support, the SHIFT Experience offers a clear path to developing the resilience and confidence required to lead in uncertain times. This program is built to help you navigate complexity while strengthening your leadership presence and impact.
View Event →
I hope these programs inspire and empower you as you climb mountains in the year ahead. Together, let’s embrace the unexpected, stay grounded, and uncover the gifts within the challenges. Here’s to leading with courage and resilience in 2025 and beyond.
