Combat Uncertainty with Clarity and Leadership

Uncertainty isn’t just knocking on the door anymore. It barged in and made itself at home.

A flood of new AI tools, shifting work routines, market upheavals, and heightened competition are now the norm.

Deciding to "wait and see" might feel safe, but here’s the thing, waiting means losing ground.

Because when the time comes to act, you won’t be ready.

You won’t have a plan or the right mindset.

Constantly reacting to circumstances puts you, and the company, in victim mode.

It’s also the fast track to burnout and missed opportunities.

And the need is real:

• Miscommunication costs $12k to $15k per employee annually.

• Inefficiencies cost companies 20% to 30% of revenue every year.

• 55% of U.S. employees don’t know what’s expected of them at work.

So, what’s a leader to do?

Get proactive.

Figure out exactly what’s happening now so you can create options based on facts.

Start at the top, where lack of clarity costs you the most. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, confusion grows and gains momentum as it travels to your directors, managers, and teams.

Once you see what people are actually doing, you’ll be able to spot and address the disconnects and overlaps, get people aligned on priorities, and determine what to lean into or drop if/when you have to pivot.

Creating this clarity with your team results in better productivity, improved morale, sharper focus, and smoother processes since everyone is on the same page with who is doing what and why.

In essence, the foundation you need to shift quickly or improve results.

For example, one of my clients saw a big jump in trust within his leadership team and productivity because everyone was aligned. And since handoffs were no longer fumbled, they started closing new business faster.

Whether you are capitalizing on an opportunity or pivoting to avoid disaster, execution can make or break you.

That’s why support for the person in charge of leading operations, usually the COO or second-in-command, is vital. They need to be at the top of their game to keep everything running and make real-time adjustments.

Peer groups and coaching exclusively for COOs give them insights on which tools and strategies work best in different situations, so they don’t waste precious time on trial and error with whatever Google or AI suggested.

Hearing what other COOs are doing increases their awareness of opportunities and sharpens decision-making, while working through ideas with people who’ve been there helps them move forward with confidence.

Like C.B., a COO who spotted the opportunity to expand something the company is already doing into an additional revenue stream with significant potential for moderate effort.

Creating crystal clear leadership team roles further amplifies their performance and the company’s.

Remember, in uncertain times, clarity and strong internal leadership aren’t just nice to have, they are your competitive edge.

Infographic: Everyone Helps the CEO, But Who Helps the COO Infographic

For insights on these topics and more: Diane’s LinkedIn