Whether it’s a major restructuring, a shift in business strategy, or economic downturns, workplace leaders play a critical role in guiding teams through times of change and uncertainty. As I write this in March 2025, job cuts are soaring in the US with numbers not seen since the pandemic and the economy is in a state of “wait and see”, leading to cautious spending and uncertain futures for many businesses and employees. These challenges take a toll on employees’ morale, well-being, and ability to perform their jobs.

Most managers and team leaders don’t have much control over major decisions and rarely have all of the answers. But leadership isn’t about having all of the answers, it’s about how you show up. Here are 10 ways you can support your team during times of change and uncertainty:

1. Open Communication

One of the most important ways to support your team is through open and transparent communication. Keep your team informed about changes, even when the news is difficult. Acknowledge the challenges ahead, share what you know, and be honest about what is still uncertain. Of course, there are often details that you cannot or should not share for ethical or legal reasons. It’s OK to say, “I will share the information with you as soon as I can”.

Encourage two-way communication by creating a space for employees to ask questions and express concerns. By fostering an environment where employees feel heard and valued, you can help mitigate feelings of uncertainty and build trust.

2. Practice Empathy

Change can be stressful and anxiety-inducing (even when the change is positive). As a leader, it’s important to recognize the emotional toll that change and uncertainty can have on your team. Show empathy and offer support through regular check-ins. Help them access applicable employee resources if these are available at your workplace. Most importantly, you don’t have to agree with someone’s perspective to respect it. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to simply acknowledge and listen, even when you cannot do anything to fix it.

3. Create Stability & Clear Direction

Uncertainty can leave employees feeling lost and directionless. When it feels like things are spinning out of control, it’s important to focus on the things that can be controlled to maintain a sense of stability. Don’t start micro-managing but do make sure the basics are covered. Provide clear guidance and set SMART goals to help your team stay focused and motivated. Outline the steps needed to navigate the changes and ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.

4. Embrace Flexibility

Be open to new ways of working and ready to adapt your leadership to meet the evolving needs of your team. This might include adjusting workloads or communication structures, offering flexible work hours, or allowing remote work options if applicable. Demonstrating flexibility shows your team that you are responsive to their needs and committed to their success.

5. Provide Training & Development

Providing training and professional development opportunities can help your team feel more secure and capable of adapting to new roles or responsibilities. Offer training, learning opportunities, workshops, seminars, or online courses that equip your team with inspiration, new skills, and excitement for the future. Investing in your team’s growth demonstrates your commitment to their long-term success.

6. Maintain a Positive Outlook

As a leader, your attitude significantly influences your team’s morale. This can be challenging when you’re personally feeling the negative impacts as well. But this doesn’t mean forcing fake smiles and ignoring the elephant in the room. It’s about striving to maintain a positive outlook toward the future and focusing on the potential opportunities that change can bring. In fact, Gallup’s research shows that the most important thing people need from their leader is ‘hope’, notably cited by a high majority of people when compared to stability, compassion, and trust.

Here are some tips for maintaining a positive outlook:

Practice self-awareness: Learn more about how, when, and why your own emotions show up in the workplace.
Manage your stress: You cannot effectively support others if you aren’t taking care of yourself. This article from Psychology Today has some great tips: 7 Helpful Ways to Manage Overwhelming Stress | Psychology Today
Invest in your own development: Improve your confidence and leadership ability.
Reframe challenges: As the saying goes, where one door closes, another door opens. What opportunities do the challenges bring?
Seek support: Connect with a mentor, coach, or reach out to your own leaders for guidance and support.

7. Recognize and Celebrate Achievements

It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate your team’s accomplishments, no matter how small. In times of change and uncertainty, recognition can boost morale and motivate your team. Create a system for regularly recognizing and rewarding achievements. Consider including a peer recognition program to foster team building and cohesion.

8. Team Building

Promote an inclusive team culture where all team members feel valued and respected. Encourage diverse perspectives and foster an environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed. Organize team-building activities and encourage collaboration. Create opportunities for team members to share their thoughts and ideas on how to navigate the changes together. A cohesive team can provide mutual support, making it easier to weather uncertainties.

9. Solicit Feedback

Regularly solicit feedback from your team about how they are coping with the changes and what additional support they may need. What’s going well? What’s not going well? What do they need? Use this feedback to make informed decisions and adjustments to your approach. By involving your team in the process, you empower them and foster a sense of ownership and collaboration.

10. Advocate

Ensure that your team’s voices are heard by passing along their feedback and challenges through the appropriate channels. Decisions made at the top of organizations don’t always include the voices that will be affected the most. Employees throughout the organization have a unique lens of how the business is affected by changes and can often provide valuable context.

Most importantly, your team just wants to know that you have their back. Build trust by advocating for their interests and ensuring that their voices are heard.

Conclusion

Change and uncertainty are inevitable, but how leaders navigate them makes all the difference. By communicating openly, leading with empathy, and fostering inclusive environments, leaders can inspire hope for the future and guide their teams through uncertain times with confidence and care.

At the end of the day, the most important thing you can offer your team isn’t certainty—it’s confidence that they won’t face these challenges alone.

10 Ways to Support Your Team During Times of Change and Uncertainty