Leading Through Uncertainty

Garry Honey runs a business called Chiron, a risk and resilience company specialising in uncertainty. I was excited to speak to him as he approaches uncertainty in a different yet compatible way to me. Garry works with boards of organisations on managing the uncertainty of risk and talks about the importance of treating risk management as part of strategy, rather than compliance.

Garry Honey runs a business called Chiron, a risk and resilience company specialising in uncertainty. I was excited to speak to him as he approaches uncertainty in a different yet compatible way to me. Garry works with boards of organisations on managing the uncertainty of risk and talks about the importance of treating risk management as part of strategy, rather than compliance.

I was delighted to have the tables turned this week as Duncan Brodie interviewed me on the skills that are needed by leaders in uncertain times. Of course, I had plenty to say about that. Not only did I write the book Leading through uncertainty, but I've also run over 20 masterclasses in the four weeks that we've been in lockdown, as well as having additional conversations. It has dominated my thoughts (and occasionally my sleep) as I've learned even more from every interaction with every person.

I was delighted to have the tables turned this week as Duncan Brodie interviewed me on the skills that are needed by leaders in uncertain times. Of course, I had plenty to say about that. Not only did I write the book Leading through uncertainty, but I’ve also run over 20 masterclasses in the four weeks that we’ve been in lockdown, as well as having additional conversations. It has dominated my thoughts (and occasionally my sleep) as I’ve learned even more from every interaction with every person.

Surlender Pendress is MD of the Love Writing Co, a business providing resources for children learning to write. She had to pivot her business rapidly to survive as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown. I'm inspired by her great messages for both small businesses wanting to explore how they stay in business but also for employees who want to re-ignite their passion for the business they work for.

Surlender Pendress is MD of the Love Writing Co, a business providing resources for children learning to write. She had to pivot her business rapidly to survive as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown. I’m inspired by her great messages for both small businesses wanting to explore how they stay in business but also for employees who want to re-ignite their passion for the business they work for.

Fergal Dowling is a partner at Irwin Mitchell and Head of Employment law. He shares the challenges of moving to remote working with very short notice and how they are operating under pressure with a significant increase in workload at a time when regulation is changing daily.

Fergal Dowling is a partner at Irwin Mitchell and Head of Employment law. He shares the challenges of moving to remote working with very short notice and how they are operating under pressure with a significant increase in workload at a time when regulation is changing daily.

Bev Messinger is the CEO of IOSH. A former HR Director, Bev understands how important it is to include people in developing a vision and ensuring everyone is on board. Bev talks about the switch from HR Director to CEO and how putting people at the heart of the charity is crucial to the last three years of transformation.

Bev Messinger is the CEO of IOSH. A former HR Director, Bev understands how important it is to include people in developing a vision and ensuring everyone is on board. Bev talks about the switch from HR Director to CEO and how putting people at the heart of the charity is crucial to the last three years of transformation.

Tracey Pritchard is Executive Director of Engagement for Prostate Cancer UK. She talks about the uncertainty of life, developing physical and emotional resilience, having a clear vision and being agile and flexible in uncertainty.

Tracey Pritchard is Executive Director of Engagement for Prostate Cancer UK. She talks about the uncertainty of life, developing physical and emotional resilience, having a clear vision and being agile and flexible in uncertainty.

Anita Bhalla OBE is a leading figure in Birmingham where she holds a number of key roles, including Chair of the Birmingham Symphony and Town Hall and Head of the West Midlands Combined Authority Leadership Commission. Anita talks about setting up an Asian Women's refuge in Leicester, her extensive career as a broadcaster for the BBC and the role of the Leadership Commission in engaging business in being more inclusive to lead social change in the region.

Anita Bhalla OBE is a leading figure in Birmingham where she holds a number of key roles, including Chair of the Birmingham Symphony and Town Hall and Head of the West Midlands Combined Authority Leadership Commission. Anita talks about setting up an Asian Women’s refuge in Leicester, her extensive career as a broadcaster for the BBC and the role of the Leadership Commission in engaging business in being more inclusive to lead social change in the region.

Irene King is Head of IBM Systems Lab Services for UK & Ireland. She has lived and breathed uncertainty throughout her extensive career, continually responding to technological change and advising clients on how to use technology to grow their business. She applies the same approach to leading people too, recognising that everyone is different and everyone needs to have a voice to be engaged on the journey. If you think IBM is stuffy, think again. Irene is an entrepreneur.

Irene King is Head of IBM Systems Lab Services for UK & Ireland. She has lived and breathed uncertainty throughout her extensive career, continually responding to technological change and advising clients on how to use technology to grow their business. She applies the same approach to leading people too, recognising that everyone is different and everyone needs to have a voice to be engaged on the journey. If you think IBM is stuffy, think again. Irene is an entrepreneur.

David Keene is the CEO of the RDM Group based in Coventry. He celebrates 27 years of running his business next month but the vigour and enthusiasm he brings, as well as his approach, are akin to an entrepreneurial startup, which is of course what he set up 27 years ago. David loves uncertainty because it keeps things fresh and exciting and explains how he balances that with providing a structure within which creativity can occur. He has a plan B, C, D for everything so it seems that whatever happens, David is ready to lead through it.

David Keene is the CEO of the RDM Group based in Coventry. He celebrates 27 years of running his business next month but the vigour and enthusiasm he brings, as well as his approach, are akin to an entrepreneurial startup, which is of course what he set up 27 years ago. David loves uncertainty because it keeps things fresh and exciting and explains how he balances that with providing a structure within which creativity can occur. He has a plan B, C, D for everything so it seems that whatever happens, David is ready to lead through it.

Ray O'Donoghue is MD of Corporate Banking for the Midlands region in Barclays. He talks about transforming the organisation from geography-led to industry-led and how the relationships with customers changed. It was a bold move that could have led to resistance but he engaged people by making sure they were part of the solution, continually refining the solution based on feedback.

Ray O’Donoghue is MD of Corporate Banking for the Midlands region in Barclays. He talks about transforming the organisation from geography-led to industry-led and how the relationships with customers changed. It was a bold move that could have led to resistance but he engaged people by making sure they were part of the solution, continually refining the solution based on feedback.

Martin Reeves is CEO of Coventry City Council. He thrives on disruptive change and is comfortable with the chaos it brings, confident in the knowledge that transformation is created from chaos. His energy is infectious, and I found myself caught up in his enthusiasm. But Martin brings more than just enthusiasm. He engages people through solid leadership and relationship skills. The world needs more CEOs like him who not only embrace change but actively encourage difference as a way to achieve it.

Martin Reeves is CEO of Coventry City Council. He thrives on disruptive change and is comfortable with the chaos it brings, confident in the knowledge that transformation is created from chaos. His energy is infectious, and I found myself caught up in his enthusiasm. But Martin brings more than just enthusiasm. He engages people through solid leadership and relationship skills. The world needs more CEOs like him who not only embrace change but actively encourage difference as a way to achieve it.

Bill Coletti specialises in reputation management and crisis communication. He is author of the book Critical moments: the Mindset of Reputation Management. In this podcast, he shares his experience of staying grounded under pressure in a crisis and being confident of the way forward in moments of extreme uncertainty that a personal or professional crisis brings. There is much to learn from him about how we create clarity and certainty in moments of extreme uncertainty.

Bill Coletti specialises in reputation management and crisis communication. He is author of the book Critical moments: the Mindset of Reputation Management. In this podcast, he shares his experience of staying grounded under pressure in a crisis and being confident of the way forward in moments of extreme uncertainty that a personal or professional crisis brings. There is much to learn from him about how we create clarity and certainty in moments of extreme uncertainty.

Susan Gee is Head of Wellbeing and Occupational Health for Yorkshire Water and is a highly regarded expert on stress and wellbeing. She talks about how work has been proven to be good for people and that we need to ensure that we make mental wellbeing at work as important as physical wellbeing. Susan has a wealth of knowledge on this subject and really understands the role that effective leadership has on our mental health.

Susan Gee is Head of Wellbeing and Occupational Health for Yorkshire Water and is a highly regarded expert on stress and wellbeing. She talks about how work has been proven to be good for people and that we need to ensure that we make mental wellbeing at work as important as physical wellbeing. Susan has a wealth of knowledge on this subject and really understands the role that effective leadership has on our mental health.

Mani Hayre is a Client Relationship Manager at Falcon Insurance and a regular blogger at Mani’s madness. She talks openly about losing her job, how it impacted her self-esteem and starting her career again a decade later. As part of re-starting her new career, she moved from her home town of Scunthorpe to Birmingham. She explains how challenging it was to uproot her whole life to a new city, the loneliness she experienced, recovering from a house fire, owning a new home, having panic attacks and what it is to be an Asian woman living in Birmingham.

Mani Hayre is a Client Relationship Manager at Falcon Insurance and a regular blogger at Mani's madness. She talks openly about losing her job, how it impacted her self-esteem and starting her career again a decade later. As part of re-starting her new career, she moved from her home town of Scunthorpe to Birmingham. She explains how challenging it was to uproot her whole life to a new city, the loneliness she experienced, recovering from a house fire, owning a new home, having panic attacks and what it is to be an Asian woman living in Birmingham.

Mani Hayre is a Client Relationship Manager at Falcon Insurance and a regular blogger at Mani’s madness. She talks openly about losing her job, how it impacted her self-esteem and starting her career again a decade later. As part of re-starting her new career, she moved from her home town of Scunthorpe to Birmingham. She explains how challenging it was to uproot her whole life to a new city, the loneliness she experienced, recovering from a house fire, owning a new home, having panic attacks and what it is to be an Asian woman living in Birmingham.

Sarah Windrum from the Emerald Group shares her story of how she led disruption in her IT business to adapt to new technologies and in the process caused communication and cultural challenges. She talks openly about how she brought the business back together and the need to listen to different ideas.

Sarah Windrum from the Emerald Group shares her story of how she led disruption in her IT business to adapt to new technologies and in the process caused communication and cultural challenges. She talks openly about how she brought the business back together and the need to listen to different ideas.

Cathy Wahlberg is one of the Directors of Alsters Kelley solicitors based in Warwickshire. She talks about how the recession in 2008 created uncertainty as every industry had to reform and adapt to new ways of working. Cathy talks openly about the need to upskill leaders and adapt to embrace the uncertainty created by a rapid pace of change.

Cathy Wahlberg is one of the Directors of Alsters Kelley solicitors based in Warwickshire. She talks about how the recession in 2008 created uncertainty as every industry had to reform and adapt to new ways of working. Cathy talks openly about the need to upskill leaders and adapt to embrace the uncertainty created by a rapid pace of change.

Jude Jennison reads chapter fourteen Leading from the heart and soul from her book Leading Through Uncertainty. She summarises the challenges we face in uncertainty, sharing the journey of her own uncertainty in looking after horses and running a business.

Jude Jennison reads chapter fourteen Leading from the heart and soul from her book Leading Through Uncertainty.  She summarises the challenges we face in uncertainty, sharing the journey of her own uncertainty in looking after horses and running a business.  

Jude Jennison reads chapter thirteen on Being human from her book Leading through uncertainty. She explains how important it is to accept our limits in uncertainty, to relinquish control and find ease and flow in our leadership.

Jude Jennison reads chapter thirteen on Being human from her book Leading through uncertainty.  She explains how important it is to accept our limits in uncertainty, to relinquish control and find ease and flow in our leadership.

Jude Jennison reads chapter twelve on Staying with the discomfort of uncertainty from her book Leading through uncertainty. She explains how we often disconnect when it gets uncomfortable and how that causes us to erode trust and break relationships. When we trust in our capabilities, we trust that we can stay even when it gets uncomfortable.

Jude Jennison reads chapter twelve on Staying with the discomfort of uncertainty from her book Leading through uncertainty.  She explains how we often disconnect when it gets uncomfortable and how that causes us to erode trust and break relationships. When we trust in our capabilities, we trust that we can stay even when it gets uncomfortable.  

Jude Jennison reads chapter eleven on Building trust from her book Leading through uncertainty. She puts forward the argument that Trust is a leadership choice. We can choose to trust I any given moment and choose not to trust. Notice how you build trust and the stories you hold around how long it takes.

Jude Jennison reads chapter eleven on Building trust from her book Leading through uncertainty.  She puts forward the argument that Trust is a leadership choice. We can choose to trust I any given moment and choose not to trust. Notice how you build trust and the stories you hold around how long it takes.

Jude Jennison reads chapter ten on Connection and Support from her book Leading Through Uncertainty. She explains how we connect and disconnect on and off in relationships to avoid the vulnerability of being seen. Notice how you connect and where you disconnect when things or situations are uncomfortable and uncertain.

Jude Jennison reads chapter ten on Connection and Support from her book Leading Through Uncertainty.  She explains how we connect and disconnect on and off in relationships to avoid the vulnerability of being seen. Notice how you connect and where you disconnect when things or situations are uncomfortable and uncertain.

Jude Jennison reads chapter nine on Listening and dialogue from her book Leading Through Uncertainty. She explores the need to listen at a deeper level in uncertainty and different ways we can do that. She also articulates the need for dialogue as a way of deepening relationships, as much as to create new ideas.

Jude Jennison reads chapter nine on Listening and dialogue from her book Leading Through Uncertainty.  She explores the need to listen at a deeper level in uncertainty and different ways we can do that. She also articulates the need for dialogue as a way of deepening relationships, as much as to create new ideas.  

Jude Jennison reads chapter eight on Creating and shaping the future from her book Leading through uncertainty. She explores how to pay attention at a deeper level to what is going on beyond the words being said and how to use external events to influence your direction.

Jude Jennison reads chapter eight on Creating and shaping the future from her book Leading through uncertainty.  She explores how to pay attention at a deeper level to what is going on beyond the words being said and how to use external events to influence your direction.

Jude Jennison reads chapter seven on Creating the framework from her book Leading through uncertainty. She explores how to create clarity, certainty and a framework for leading through uncertainty with more ease

Jude Jennison reads chapter seven on Creating the framework from her book Leading through uncertainty.  She explores how to create clarity, certainty and a framework for leading through uncertainty with more ease

Jude Jennison reads chapter six on Pain and trauma from her book Leading through uncertainty and explores how past experiences shape our leadership decisions and how organisational change creates trauma as people learn to adapt to the change.

Jude Jennison reads chapter six on Pain and trauma from her book Leading through uncertainty and explores how past experiences shape our leadership decisions and how organisational change creates trauma as people learn to adapt to the change.