Think back to the last time everything at work got shaky (and if you’re like most people, you don’t have to think back too far). Maybe it was a reorg nobody saw coming, or a budget freeze, or a big client taking their business elsewhere.
What did your face do? Did it fall or freeze? What did you say first? Did you go quiet, overexplain, or crack a joke to break the tension?
I ask because that moment matters more than most of us realize. In uncertain times, the people you lead are watching you for cues. They listen to what you say, how you say it, when you say it, what you carefully avoid saying, and whether your actions line up with your words. That is a LOT of attention pointed your way. That can feel overwhelming and stressful. It can also be good news because YOU get to decide what to do with it.
