Being the Steady Center

Being the Steady Center: Leading Teams Through Uncertainty with Lisa Kjellstrom

In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, leaders are being asked to do more than drive results - they’re being asked to support the mental health of their teams, often without clear guidance.

I addressed WorldatWork back in April in San Antonio, TX on this topic and more. This session focuses on how leaders can be a steady center when work feels ambiguous, pressure is high, and emotional load is shared across the team. Rather than diagnosing burnout, the conversation explores how leaders recognize when stress is becoming unsustainable, how to respond with clarity and humanity, and how to create space for honest dialogue without taking on the role of therapist.

Participants examined the difference between fixing problems and holding space, learned how to guide people toward appropriate support, and reflected on how their own behavior sets the emotional tone for the team. Grounded in real leadership moments and practical conversation strategies, this session equips leaders to foster trust, resilience, and calm even when the path forward is unclear.