Now is the Time to Prepare Leaders and Teams to Navigate Uncertainty

Summary: We live in a state of continuous uncertainty, from economic volatility and global elections to AI disruption and climate-related events. Despite these challenges, many organizations hesitate to invest in leadership development. This blog outlines why now is the critical moment to build leadership skills that enable resilience, adaptability, and change-readiness. Backed by current research, we’ll show how preparing your people today ensures your organization thrives tomorrow.

Uncertainty Is the New Normal

From global elections and economic instability to AI’s rapid evolution and climate disruptions, uncertainty is no longer episodic—it’s constant.

• Over 60 countries held national elections in 2024, representing more than half of the world’s population. The results began to deliver change in 2025, raising significant political challenges.
• The OECD’s 2025 Economic Outlook warns of persistent inflation, rising interest rates, and slowing growth.
• According to Gallup, 44% of global workers feel stressed at work, with uncertainty being a big contributor.
• AI adoption continues to accelerate: over 77% of companies are experimenting with generative AI, often with unclear implications for workforce dynamics and job security.

These constant waves of change aren’t slowing down. That’s why it’s not only strategic, but essential, to build teams and leaders who can lead through uncertainty.

Why Now Is the Best Time to Invest in L&D

While it might seem logical to wait for a “calmer” period to focus on training, waiting could mean missing critical windows to build leadership capacity.

1. Early investment leads to stronger outcomes

Skills like resilience, adaptability, and change leadership are not built overnight. They require repeated application and reinforcement. Investing in leadership development and skills training now gives leaders time to:

• Practice in real-world scenarios
• Build muscle memory for when disruptions hit
• Gain confidence in navigating the unknown

2. Uncertainty will persist

Even after major news cycles pass, new disruptions will continue to emerge, including regulatory shifts, supply chain instability, labor market fluctuations, and the introduction of new technologies. Future-ready leaders know they must stay on top of change. PwC’s 2024 Global CEO Survey found that 45% of CEOs believe their company won’t be economically viable in 10 years if it stays on its current path.

Resilient leaders are those who can guide organizations through evolving, unpredictable futures, not just short-term storms.

3. The leadership capability gap is widening

• Only 23% of organizations say their leaders have the skills to navigate disruption.
• Just 50% feel prepared to respond to external shocks.
• Meanwhile, 97% of leaders acknowledge resilience as a top priority; yet, few have taken action.

The gap between recognition and readiness is a risk no organization can afford.

The Two-Hander Strategy: What We Know vs. What We Don’t Know

At LifeLabs Learning, we teach the Two-Hander strategy in our Adaptivity & Resilience and Leading Change workshops. It helps teams balance what’s within their control with what’s unknown, using “minimum viable clarity” to guide action.

Let’s put it to work:

On one hand, we know…

Responding to disruption pays off. 

Companies that embrace change generate 3x more revenue than those that resist it. Whether it’s a shift in policies, changing market conditions, or new technologies, meeting change with organizational readiness and agility leads to:

• Improved team engagement
• Increased profitability
• A competitive edge

Organizations that wait to prepare their managers to respond to evolving circumstances risk reduced team morale, stagnation, and a competitive disadvantage to more proactive companies.

On the other hand, we don’t know… (but can prepare for)

How geopolitical or tech disruption will impact your business.

While businesses can’t control technological, environmental, or social shifts—or their effects on industries, markets, and consumer behavior—they can proactively manage risk and prepare for multiple scenarios.

Scenario Planning is a valuable tool in uncertain environments. Our Adaptivity & Resilience workshop teaches this approach: Consider three possible outcomes and rate each in terms of likelihood and preparedness. Focus your time, resources, and energy on the scenarios that seem most inevitable and where you’re least prepared.

How change will impact your people.

Emotions run high during uncertain times, and it’s impossible to predict the level of discourse or resistance to change that may follow. Regardless, your team is likely to need extra support and understanding at this time.

Investing in people skills development now equips managers to lead with empathy and reduce burnout. Our Leading Change Playbook offers tools and strategies for cultivating a change-ready culture and equipping leaders to provide stability in a world of constant flux.

Take Action: Build Change-Ready Leaders Now

Change won’t wait, and neither should you. Strategic investment in learning and development now will give your leaders the confidence and tools to:

• Drive innovation even in ambiguity
• Maintain engagement during turbulence
• Model calm and clarity

Research shows investments in resilience boost confidence by 57% in handling disruptions more effectively!

Get started by checking out the Change Toolbox in our Leading Change Playbook and partnering with LifeLabs Learning to help your team navigate change effectively.

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