3 Ways to Keep Leading in the Messy Middle

This spring has brought forth major changes in our society from a global pandemic to a justice revolution around the world.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stuck right now, it’s completely normal. The good news is, even while you’re feeling overwhelmed and stuck, there are three ways you can still show up right now for people even when you feel like you don’t know what “to do” next.

The first is to lean into the tension. This might be one of the most exhausting seasons in modern history for everyone. And while you must take care of yourself in order to move forward effectively, leaning into the tension that exists right now is crucial. When we lean into the tension, we commit to doing the hard work, to being creative, to listening, and to figuring out a way forward. Most of us have been caught resting on our heels and now it’s time to press in, to lean in, and to commit to moving forward productively. It won’t be easy, it will require hard conversations, out-of-the-box thinking, and maybe even letting go of some of our own limiting mindsets that have held us back from making real change in our lives and making a lasting impact.

The second is to model the way through our own actions. Even though you may not know exactly what “to do” next, one of the essential characteristics of leaders is to model the way forward. Likely, right now, as you lean into the tension you are listening, contemplating, grieving, and learning. As you do these things, model them for those around you. Even when you don’t know what’s next, you absolutely can begin to change the environment around you by modeling the way to those watching you.

Lastly, it’s time to embrace humility. Humility might not be sexy, but these are uncharted waters. And getting different results requires doing things differently. So, it’s time to embrace humility. The challenges we are facing today require listening to new voices, learning how to do things differently, and trying new things. Those who will be the most effective moving forward in this season are those who are ready to acknowledge they don’t know it all and that they don’t have it all together. One of the biggest traits of humility is asking questions and being willing to listen to the answers, even when they’re uncomfortable.