The Leader Mindset #35

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The SUPPORT Playbook for Leading Through Uncertainty

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to give a keynote speech to a group of project managers. The purpose of the talk was to explain how leadership must evolve in the exponential age, a time defined by rapid innovation and constant disruption.

During the session, I shared the most significant challenge leaders will face over the next decade: an incredible, almost dizzying level of uncertainty. And while the future holds plenty of unknowns, the truth is that intense ambiguity is already here.

• Uncertainty about how AI will reshape jobs and decision-making.

• Uncertainty about how quickly to adopt new technology, or what happens if we wait too long.

• Uncertainty about global markets, shifting tariffs, inflation, and budgets that never seem to stretch far enough.

• Uncertainty about whether the skills we’ve relied on will even matter in five years.

It’s a lot for any leader to absorb.

I suspect many mid-level leaders quietly hope the C-suite will figure it all out and send a memo when they do. But that’s not how this works. The next wave of disruption will not be solved by executives alone. Every leader, from the front line to the top of the house, will have to navigate it together.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t feel ready. A recent study by Russell Reynolds found that only 32% of leaders feel confident they have the right skills to implement AI in their organizations. That means two-thirds are trying to lead through technological upheaval while feeling underprepared themselves.

You can sense that gap in nearly every workplace conversation. People are uneasy, fatigued, and searching for something or someone steady enough to help them make sense of what’s ahead.

And that someone is you.

So how do you respond?

There is no perfect playbook for every situation. But there is a practical framework that can help your team stay focused, confident, and connected through disruption.

I call it the SUPPORT model, and it outlines seven essential actions every leader can take when uncertainty hits.

The SUPPORT Model (and How to Use It)

1. Self-Care

You set the tone for your team. If you walk into the room stressed or distracted, your team will feel it. Sleep, exercise, and healthy boundaries aren’t just a nice-to-have; they’re essential to protecting your energy so you can always put your best self forward.

2. Understanding

People bring emotions, doubts, and fears to work, especially during uncertain times. It is important to ask questions and show empathy for their insecurities and fears. A great question might be, “What’s feeling heavy right now?” You don’t need to fix everything. Sometimes, being heard is what people need most.

3. Participation

Uncertainty often tempts leaders to tighten control, but the better move is to do the opposite. Invite your team into the problem-solving process. Ask for their perspective. When people participate, they feel ownership, and when they feel ownership, they engage more deeply.

4. Prioritization

If not careful, disruption can create chaos. Help your team cut the noise and focus on what truly matters this quarter, or even this week. Narrow the scope. Guide your team toward the few priorities that create the most impact right now. Simplicity brings stability.

5. Obsession About the Future

Obsession can sound extreme, but it is not. You need to talk about the future all of the time, so people feel like they have something to look toward. Paint a picture of where the organization or team is heading and why it matters. Remind them that this uncertainty won’t last forever, and that today’s challenges will lead to an exciting future.

6. Resource Support

You can’t expect people to deliver strong results during these challenging times without the right tools. Ask what’s getting in their way. It might be time, technology, or training. Removing obstacles shows that you care about how they work, not just what they produce.

7. Transparency

When leaders go quiet, people fill in the blanks with their own stories, and they rarely fill them with good narrative. Be radically transparent about what’s known, what’s still unclear, and what’s still to come. Honesty builds credibility, even when the truth is uncomfortable.

Handling Uncertainty Isn’t Easy

Leading through uncertainty is not about having every answer. It’s about building confidence in the process of figuring things out together. When you combine honesty with optimism, structure with empathy, and vision with patience, you create a sense of calm that others can rally around.

And here’s what I reminded that group of project managers earlier this week: uncertainty isn’t going away. If anything, it’s accelerating. But leaders who practice SUPPORT — who protect their energy, care for their teams, focus on what matters, and stay transparent — will not only weather the disruption. They’ll define what leadership looks like in the exponential age.

That’s how you move forward—one steady, intentional step at a time.

Share in the comments how you lead during uncertainty.

Andy Noon, PhD

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Thanks for reading and look forward to seeing you again next week.

Andy