How to Be a Decisive Leader and Provide Certainty in Uncertain Times

By Dr. Mary Kelly, Economist, Leadership Strategist, and Time-Management Realist

Provide the Certainty in an Uncertain World

In times of uncertainty, people look for leadership. Whether you are leading a company, a team, a community group, or even your own family, people want to know that someone is confidently guiding the way forward.

Think about a wolf pack in nature. The pack leader does not just wander aimlessly. They make decisions, set directions, and provide reassurance to those who follow. The same is true in business and leadership. In a news cycle that feels unpredictable and chaotic, people crave stability, clarity, and calm. That is your role as a leader.

Leadership Is About Decisions and Direction

As a leader, your team looks to you for answers. Even if you do not have all the information or the perfect solution, your ability to make decisions builds confidence. Indecision, on the other hand, breeds fear and frustration.

Your team does not expect you to have a crystal ball. They do not need you to be perfect. But they do need you to be decisive.

When you make a call and clearly explain the why behind it, you create a sense of direction that others rally around.

Providing Certainty Amid Uncertainty

When people are anxious, they need reassurance that things are going to be okay. Even if circumstances are tough, your calm presence can help your team stay focused and productive.

Here are three ways to provide certainty, even when the world feels unstable:

1. Be the calm voice in the room.
   Your energy sets the tone. If you panic, everyone else will be too. Model the composure you want to see in others.
2. Share what you know and what you do not.
   People can manage unwelcome news better than uncertainty. Be honest about what you know, what’s still unknown, and what steps you are taking to find answers.
3. Reassure with action, not just words.
   Words matter, but actions speak louder. When your team sees you taking concrete steps, they feel safer and more secure.

Communicate More Than You Think You Need To

One of the most common mistakes leaders make is under communicating. You may feel like you have said something enough times, but your team is likely still craving more clarity and direction.

In uncertain times, over-communicate.

• Repeat the vision.
• Reinforce the priorities.
• Remind people of what is going well.

When you think you have said something too many times, say it again. It is not about being redundant — it is about providing consistency and confidence.

Have you ever heard “You are so smart! Or You managed that difficult customer really well!”  Now, have you ever heard that too much? Probably not.

People need to hear when they are doing things right. They need encouragement.

You Are the Rock

Your team does not need flawlessness. They need a steady, dependable leader who is willing to guide them through uncertainty. Like a pack leader, you set the pace and direction.

By being decisive, providing reassurance, and communicating more than you think is necessary, you create a foundation of trust. You are the anchor your people need, and that is the hallmark of true leadership.