Your people are your greatest asset—and in uncertain times, these five leadership skills separate leaders who excel from those who merely survive.

Time to Read: 2 minutes

In an era of economic volatility, AI disruption, layoffs, and rising employee expectations, leadership is more than just managing the bottom line. It's about inspiring and empoweringyour people to thrive, not just survive.

As an executive coach and former CEO, I’ve worked with hundreds of high-performing leaders who drive growth even in turbulent times. They all share one thing in common: a people-first approach. Here are five essential leadership skills that help people and teams stay focused, engaged, and resilient.

1. Communicate

Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart, said, "Communicate everything to your associates; the more they know the more they care."

When a company is silent during uncertain times, employees often fill the void with anxiety and rumors. Open and frequent communication—sharing updates on the company, your department, and even the broader market—lowers that anxiety and builds trust. Transparency shows you respect your team, and that respect fosters loyalty.

Takeaway: Be transparent, frequent, and human.

2. Praise

Recognition is a powerful tool. It inspires people and keeps morale high. A CEO client of mine started sending a quick, personalized Slack message highlighting a specific win. Within a month, team morale and cross-departmental collaboration noticeably increased.

Praise promptly, make it specific, and when appropriate, share publicly. Even small acts of appreciation, like "Thanks for jumping on that so quickly," boost energy, engagement, and connection.

Takeaway: Small thanks, big impact.

3. Empower

Great leaders don’t just assign tasks—they delegate ownership. Holding onto control creates barriers; letting go empowers your team.

I worked with a leader struggling with micromanagement. By giving clear goals but letting the team decide how to achieve them, project quality and employee confidence soared. Empowerment builds trust, sharpens skills, and develops future leaders.

Takeaway: Ownership creates leaders.

4. Humor

Levity reduces stress, eases tension, and strengthens collaboration. The most effective leaders I know aren't afraid to laugh at themselves and encourage fun. A shared moment of humor can break down barriers and remind everyone that we’re all in this together.

Allow your team to be human and bring their personality to work. Happiness fuels productivityand makes work feel less like a chore and more like a shared mission.

Takeaway: Fun fuels performance.

5. Coach

A great leader is a great coach. One client told me after a single session, “I finally see the path forward for my team—and for myself.”

Coaching is about listening deeply, removing barriers, and creating clear goals and accountability. When you coach effectively, you build partnerships that increase productivity, engagement, and alignment with organizational goals.

Takeaway: Great leaders are great coaches.

Final Thoughts
Strong leadership makes the difference between merely surviving uncertainty and truly excelling. By applying these five skills, you can inspire trust, foster resilience, and create a culture where both your people and your organization succeed.

Ready to Lead at Your Best?

The next level of leadership isn't just about knowing these skills—it's about mastering them. If you’re ready to move beyond these five tips and build a strategy that works for your unique team, I can help.

Discover how coaching can elevate your leadership and your team’s performance:

• See how leaders like you achieved results
• Explore my leadership coaching approach
• Read media features on leadership coaching
• Trusted by leaders across Fortune 500 companies and high-growth organizations

Reply to this email or call 858-638-8260—to start designing a leadership strategy that inspires your team, drives results, and builds lasting impact.

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