Supporting Leaders Under Sustained Pressure
How leaders navigate complexity, uncertainty, and relentless external change — and what’s showing up in real conversations today.
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TL;DR on Leadership Uncertainty in 2026
Many professionals are carrying heavier loads with fewer resources — not because of a lack of competence, but because conditions around them are shifting in real time. This is showing up as increased complexity in decisions, sustained workload pressure, and new forms of relational strain for leaders and their teams.
Uncertainty Erodes Confidence
When the future feels less predictable, confidence naturally drops — slowing decision-making and increasing the perceived risk of taking action.
The News Cycle is Fast and Often Negative
Constant exposure to rapid, often negative information is seeping into workplaces, shaping how people interpret risk, urgency, and expectations.
Focus is Harder to Maintain
Competing priorities and shifting demands make it harder for leaders and teams to stay aligned on what matters most right now.
Latest Signals from Leaders We’re Talking With
It’s a strange time:
As we turn the corner into 2026, many leaders describe this moment as one of the most demanding since early 2020. While there was hope that pressure might ease, for many, the sense of strain hasn’t yet lifted.
The Latest Signals:
The pace of change feels relentless
Maintaining clarity and trust is harder than it used to be
Pressure to hit performance targets feels elevated
Decisions carry more perceived risk than before
Common assumption:
2026 would feel like a clean turn of the page from 2025
What we’re seeing instead: Many employees are experiencing more friction, less certainty, and lower confidence about what the future holds — and what they should be focusing on right now.
If these signals sound familiar, it may be helpful to talk through what they mean for your team.
Early Indicators That Leaders Are Watching: Signals not Scorecards
Is the World around us calming down or continuing to overheat?
Does my team have the mindset they need to perform?
What is the tone from the top? How should I interpret the signals we’re receiving?
Support for leaders navigating sustained pressure
Jennifer’s work these days is about helping leaders think more clearly and act with confidence amid ambiguity.
Her keynotes and leadership conversations are shaped by real patterns emerging from this era of uncertainty, drawing on evidence and frontline experience to help leaders sharpen judgment, build trust, and stay grounded.
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“Not every conversation needs to be about booking an engagement. Sometimes it’s just useful to compare notes and feel supported.