| As we start 2026, I have been thinking about that exciting feeling of a new beginning. It could be starting a new team project, changing your career, or deciding to lead with more energy. But by mid-January, that feeling often starts to fade with the return to normal routines. It is like a bonfire on the beach. It burns bright at first, but dies down if you do not add more wood. Does this sound like you? Just at the start of the week, I talked with a new leader in tech. He is preparing for some big changes this year to update their products as the market shifts in different directions. However, he told me in confidence that his team’s plan for a “bold year” was already losing steam. The unknown and a plethora of decisions was slowly crippling their conviction. This made me pause and think. How do we, as leaders, turn uncertainty from something that slows us down, into something that helps us grow? Not just for ourselves, but for our teams too? New starts often fail because we see uncertainty as a problem, not an opportunity. A study from Harvard Business Review shows leaders who accept uncertainty get 25% more new ideas from their teams. In fact, one could say that our minds like a bit of excitement – some fog of war – to work best. So what might initially appear as a mess is in fact a door opening. What that means for leaders is that they need to foster an environment where different ways of thinking can coexist, where they understanding feelings of others, and guide change rather than resisting it. It is your set of tools to turn “what if” into “let us do this.“ Additionally, in my coaching, I use the WEL model (Wellbeing, Engagement, Leadership) to show how uncertainty helps growth. When things are always the same, teams stay in the “comfort zone”. There, they are involved but not excited. But add different views in uncertain times? That takes them to the “performance zone”, where new leaders step up and magic can happen. In a past workshop, one of my participants (finance manager) had to make some big decisions, which downstream would result into significant changes for her team and organisation. I could tell she felt stuck by all the “what-ifs.” So, instead of giving orders alone (a common mistake), we asked her team: “How can we see this potential mess as our strength?” And with her team (an uncommon mix of careful thinkers and creative people), they created a strong plan. When I followed up later on, it had not only got them through the trouble but improved their work and results significantly. That is uncertainty at work. It changes fear into energy, and “I lead” into “we succeed.”  So, how do we start this inner fire for new beginnings? First, accept different ways of thinking. Are you the one who looks at the big picture and jumps ahead, or the careful one who sees risks? My Thinker Test™ (try here) can show this. It is a quick check with 80 statements to find your main thinking styles and weak spots. Second, grow understanding of feelings in your team. Create a safe space for hard talks. Take turns sharing about uncertainty in meetings. In changing times (hello, 2026’s surprises), this stops bad habits and starts good change handling. McKinsey says: teams strong in feelings adapt 20% quicker. Third, make new starts a group thing. Skip doing it alone. Use your “growth network” (as I outlined in this past newsletter: https://lisonmage.com/the-9-people-to-have-in-your-network-for-your-growth/). A guide for advice, a butt kicker for action. These different views turn loose ideas into real steps. And change is not straight. It goes in steps: use check-ins to fix things, like reviews after projects. As leaders, starting this fire is not a choice. It is how we motivate, adjust, and keep sustainable performance. It is the difference between dying out and making paths. Think of it as building a forge. Uncertainty is the heat, different thinking is the hammer, creating strong teams. What is one new beginning you will start this year with uncertainty? Share with me. To your success, Lison xX PS: If someone has forwarded this to you, you can subscribe here. It’s free. Your information is protected. And I never spam. Ever. |
| If this sparks something for you, here’s how we can work together: Discover the secrets to skyrocketing your team’s performance in my free Masterclass! Join me on the 12th of March to talk high-performance strategies and walk away with actionable tools to inspire and empower your team. Register here. Join my 1-1 coaching program designed to elevate your performance, leadership, and positioning. Whether you’re looking to gain clarity, strengthen your leadership presence, or take your career to the next level, I’ll help you achieve tangible results. Book a call to explore how we can work together here. Book one of my workshops or keynotes for your team to elevate energy and performance. More information here. With my first book Act Before You overThink to learn how to make better decisions faster and liberate your mind from the constant chatter that hinders your potential. You can buy it here. |
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