[Episode 59] Stop Waiting for Calm: Leading Boldly in an Age of Global Uncertainty

“In times of chaos, many freeze or bury their heads, hoping it will go away. But true leaders choose to respond. It’s easy to react, even easier to retreat. It takes courage to respond, with clarity and conviction.”

The world feels in flux right now.

From geopolitical conflict to economic tremors, instability isn’t a distant storm anymore; it’s part of the atmosphere we breathe in daily as professionals and business owners. And while Australia may feel far from many global flashpoints, the ripple effects reach us, quietly eroding confidence, tightening purse strings, and paralysing decision-making.

But here’s a question worth asking:
 

What if this is the new normal?

What if the “waiting for things to settle” strategy is no longer strategic, but a form of delay disguised as caution?

The Cost of Waiting

In recent months, I’ve watched business owners stall on hiring, cancel expansion plans, or reduce marketing efforts, not because their businesses are failing, but because the world feels uncertain.

It’s completely understandable. When the headlines are relentless, our nervous systems crave safety. Pausing feels prudent. But waiting comes with a hidden cost.

While you hold back, opportunities are quietly passing by. Competitors are trialling new models, your ideal clients are choosing someone else who is visible, and your team may begin to lose confidence without strong direction.

Because here’s the reality: while you wait for the storm to pass, someone else is learning to lead in the rain.

Think of the leaders who, in the last few years, chose to double down on connection, clarity, and innovation, even amidst lockdowns, staff shortages, and market disruption. Many of them now hold stronger client relationships, more resilient teams, and sharper systems than those who pressed pause.

E + R = O — The Leadership Equation That Changes Everything

There’s a principle from Jack Canfield’s Success Principles that has never been more relevant than it is today:

Event + Response = Outcome     (E + R = O)

We don’t control the Event: whether it’s global instability, inflation, or political dysfunction.
But we always control the Response.
And that response determines the Outcome we experience.

It’s not the storm that determines whether the ship survives; it’s the captain’s decisions during the storm.

This mindset doesn’t dismiss the very real challenges leaders face. It simply reframes them. Instead of pouring energy into resisting the storm, it asks: How can I respond in a way that creates the best possible outcome, given what I can influence?

100% Responsibility Isn’t Harsh; It’s Liberating

Another Canfield principle worth remembering is this:

“Successful people take 100% responsibility for everything they experience.”

That doesn’t mean you caused global unrest or a changing economy. But it does mean you get to choose how you lead, serve, and build, even amidst it.

Taking full responsibility is not about blame.
It’s about agency, your ability to make choices and take action that shape your future, no matter what’s happening around you.
In other words, it’s reclaiming your power in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable.

When you take responsibility, you stop waiting for the “right” conditions and start creating conditions that support your goals. You stop hoping for stability and begin building resilience.

So, What Does Leadership Look Like in Times Like These?

1. Lead Through, Not Around

Don’t avoid uncertainty; face it. Talk to your team, clients, and customers about how you’re choosing to move forward. Transparency is more powerful than perfection.

Leaders who acknowledge reality while pointing to possibility build trust. People want to know you see what they see, and that you’re choosing a way forward anyway.

2. Focus on Influence, Not Control

You can’t control global headlines. But you can influence your business culture, client relationships, and personal resilience.

This shift in focus is empowering. When you double down on the things within your control, like consistent communication, strong service, and a supportive work environment, you create stability for those around you, even when the outside world feels unstable.

3. Respond Instead of React

Before you slash budgets or shelve ideas, pause. Ask yourself:

“Am I reacting from fear, or responding with vision?”

A reaction is immediate and often defensive. A response is considered and rooted in long-term vision. Strong leaders create space for response, even under pressure.

Ask Yourself…

• What outcome am I currently not achieving because I’m focusing too much on the event?

• Where in my business am I hesitating, waiting for the world to calm down?

• What would taking 100% responsibility look like this week?

• Who am I leaning on for support, encouragement, and accountability?

The Lonely Truth of Leadership

Here’s the part many leaders don’t admit: it’s lonely.

When the world feels uncertain, the pressure to “have it all together” can be isolating. You may feel like you’re carrying the weight of decisions on your own. And yet, leadership isn’t meant to be a solo act.

Even the strongest leaders need trusted sounding boards. They need spaces where they can say, “I don’t have this figured out yet” and not be judged, but supported in a trusted environment.

That’s where community changes everything.

When you’re surrounded by a trusted circle of support, you gain fresh perspectives, encouragement when times are tough, and accountability that keeps you moving forward. Most importantly, you’re reminded that you’re not leading alone.

The Ask Fleur Success Community

That’s exactly why we created the Ask Fleur Success Community, a place where leaders, business owners, and professionals come together to:

• Connect at monthly events that reset focus and energy.

• Access online courses that strengthen confidence and skills.

• Belong to a trusted community of people who truly understand the challenges of leadership.

In the last year alone, we’ve seen members:

• Regain momentum after times of hesitation and uncertainty.

• Clarify pricing and client focus to unlock growth.

• Find the courage to launch new offers, supported by peers cheering them on.

The common thread? None of them did it alone.

👉 Our next event is an online Success Mastermind on 14 October 2025: https://www.askfleur.com/success-community

If you’ve been carrying the weight of leadership alone, maybe it’s time to step into a circle of support.

Because leadership may feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be.

Stop Waiting, Start Leading

If we’ve learned anything in recent years, it’s this: stability is not a guarantee. But strong, responsive leadership? That’s a choice. Every day.

You don’t need perfect conditions to move forward.
You just need courage, supported by a trusted community to walk beside you.

The Ask Fleur Success Community is here to remind you: you’re not in this alone.