Leading Through Fear — How to Guide Your Team (and Yourself) Through Uncertainty

Have you been asking yourself, "How can I lead when everyone, including me, is afraid?"

We're living in a time of extraordinary change, and with change often comes fear. It's felt at every level of organizations, from executives making tough decisions to employees wondering what tomorrow will bring.

Layoffs, restructuring, and constant change have left many anxious, disengaged, and uncertain about the future. But here's what leaders often don't realize…

Pushing harder when fear is high doesn't create results. It creates burnout.

So, how should leaders respond when employees are scared or feeling unsettled?

In this episode, Blake shares how to lead effectively when fear and uncertainty are high so you and your team can move from survival mode to sustainable success. Learn how fear impacts the brain, why survival mode kills innovation, and practical strategies for leading through change with trust, calm, and clarity.

Episode Highlights

Why Fear Shuts Down Your Team's Best Thinking

[02:15] - How uncertainty triggers survival mode in leaders and teams

[03:45] - What happens in the brain when people feel unsafe

[04:30] - Why pushing harder amplifies the problem

Four Practical Leadership Moves for Navigating Uncertainty

[06:20] - Why honesty builds credibility

[08:15] - The importance of acknowledging fear

[09:45] - How to spot your survival mode triggers

[11:30] - Rebuilding trust daily through micro moments

[13:00] - Creating psychological safety and clear micro goals

Real-World Example: Leading Through Layoffs

[10:15] - Blake's experience navigating 1,700 layoffs at Target

[11:45] - How acknowledging fear transformed team performance

Powerful Quotes

"You can't calm a room if you're in chaos. Your calm is contagious — and so is your chaos." -Blake Schofield

"Most people prefer the certainty of misery to the misery of uncertainty." —Virginia Satir

"When people feel unsafe, their nervous system reads it as a threat, not leadership." -Blake Schofield

"Trust isn't a one-time action. It's built in micro moments." -Blake Schofield

Resources Mentioned

Drained at the end of the day & want more presence in your life? In just 5 minutes, learn your unique burnout type™ & how to restore your energy, fulfillment & peace at www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type/

The Fastest Path to Clarity, Confidence & Your Next Level of Success: executive coaching for leaders navigating layered challenges. Whether you're burned out, standing at a crossroads, or simply know you're meant for more—you don't have to figure it out alone. Go to impactwithease.com/coaching to apply!

Ready to Future-Proof Your Leadership? Let's explore what's possible for your team. Whether you're navigating rapid growth, culture change, or quiet disengagement…we can help with our high-touch, root-cause focused solutions that are designed to help grow resilient, aligned & empowered leaders who navigate uncertainty with confidence and create impact without burning out, go to https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/