Leading Through Uncertainty: Cultivating Resilient Employees
It’s the word of the moment – Uncertainty consistently dominates headlines (including this one) to describe a general feeling of collective angst that describes the first half of 2025.
So, what are the myriad of reasons for this social phenomenon?
Economic volatility and social upheaval
Backlash on progressive ideology
Rapidly developing technology coupled with organizational restructuring
Climate disasters…the list goes on.
We get it – times appear to be tough. So, what does that mean? For organizations? For managers?
In summary – uncertainty is savage for employee engagement. Ultimately hurting productivity and culture.
Gallup's 2024 data reveals that only 31% of U.S. employees are engaged—the lowest level in a decade—while 17% are actively disengaged, reflecting a troubling trend of workplace detachment. A few ways it directly hurts engagement include:
Clarity of Expectations: Only 46% of employees clearly understand what is expected of them at work, a significant drop from 56% in March 2020. (Gallup)
Perceived Care: A mere 39% feel that someone at work cares about them as a person, down from 47% in 2020. (HR News and Analysis)
Development Encouragement: Only 30% believe someone at work encourages their development, decreasing from 36% in 2020. (HR Drive)
We’re hitting levels that are below the pandemic – especially among younger Gen Z workers. So, what are managers to do about it?
Encourage Self-Reflection as a Tool to Navigate Uncertainty
In our work with Fortune 100 clients across industries, we’ve observed a common business challenge: Managers often struggle to support their direct reports' career progression in ways that align both with individual aspirations and organizational needs. A critical, yet frequently underestimated, skill that bridges this gap.
Intentional Reflection
Reflection is a fundamental leadership skill that helps managers leverage emotional intelligence to support employee growth and success. As Aristotle put it, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Research backs this up—Forbes highlighted a Corporate Executive Board study revealing that leaders in the top quarter of self-awareness outperformed their peers by 10%.
Know Thyself: Practical Reflection Strategies
Research across psychology, business, and leadership development confirms that self-reflection strengthens decision-making, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal effectiveness. Here are three keyways to integrate reflection into leadership:
Identify What Shapes Your Perspective
Consider the factors that influence how you lead – your personal experiences, social identity, and professional background. How might these elements shape your decision-making? What assumptions do you bring to the table? Recognizing these influences enables more objective and thoughtful leadership.
Seek Feedback and Listen Actively
Reflective leaders understand that their impact extends beyond their intentions. They seek honest feedback, not just from supervisors but also from peers and direct reports. Creating an environment where others feel comfortable providing candid insights is crucial.
Analyze Key Moments for Growth
Reflection isn’t just about looking back; it’s about refining for the future. Research from the (Harvard Business Review, 2022) suggests that leaders who analyze moments of surprise, failure, or frustration gain the most insight for personal development. Instead of dwelling on missteps, they extract lessons and adjust their approach. When leaders better understand themselves, they build stronger relationships and create opportunities for others to grow.
Reflection isn’t just a leadership skill – it’s foundational to long-term impact. According to a Harvard Business Review study, leaders who engage in regular reflection tend to be rated 32% more effective by their direct reports than those who do not.
Reflection is widely recognized as a foundation for leadership effectiveness. Donald Schön, an MIT professor who pioneered the concept of reflective practice, argued that self-aware leaders develop more adaptive and innovative problem-solving skills (Schön, The Reflective Practitioner).
Leaders who prioritize reflection cultivate stronger teams, make more informed decisions, and foster environments where people can do their best work.
The Takeaway
The current decline in employee engagement underscores the need for proactive leadership. By enabling personal reflection – your driving purpose, demonstrating empathy, supporting career development - all of which ultimately cultivate a resilient workforce capable of thriving amid uncertainty.
What’s one small shift you can make today to integrate reflection into your leadership? Let’s start there.
Putting Reflection into Action
With idea+, leaders gain practical tools to strengthen self-awareness, build trust, and drive meaningful growth. Looking for structured ways to incorporate reflection into your leadership development? idea+ provides insights, frameworks, and interactive resources to help you refine your leadership approach.
📩 Sign up for the latest idea+ leadership strategies and resources launching in 2025.