Clearing the Fog: How to Thrive in Uncertainty
Uncertainty is something we all face at work. It can often feel like trying to navigate through foggy terrain without a clear map! Uncertainty breeds doubt and hesitation… so what’s the antidote? Well, it’s about providing clarity.
When everything around you feels uncertain, you can still create clarity for your team. If you can focus your team on the immediate mission you can forge a path into the unknown.
This is where clarifying your objective and intent becomes critical. Together, they cut through the fog and provide immediate direction when everything else feels unclear. Let’s break them down and explore how they can help you succeed in your leadership challenges.
Clarify Your Objective: What Do We Need to Do?
A clear objective provides the immediate focus your team needs. It gives them something tangible to rally around, even when the bigger picture remains uncertain. Objectives translate strategies into actionable steps—short-term goals that are achievable and measurable.
Think of an objective as the story you tell your team about what needs to happen next. The clearer and more specific that story, the easier it is for people to follow. It’s not about having a perfect roadmap for the future but about providing the next waypoint to keep your team moving forward.
When setting an objective, make it:
Specific: Be clear about what needs to be done—avoid vague or abstract statements.
Measurable: Define success in terms your team can track or observe.
Relevant: Tie the objective to the team’s other work so they understand its importance.
Example: Instead of saying, “We need to complete testing,” set an objective like: "We need to confirm the test environment setup for the software deployment by the end of the week."
Clarify Your Intent: Why Do We Need to Do It?
In other words… ‘Why does this objective matter?’ Teams benefit from understanding the broader purpose behind it. When teams grasp the intent, they are empowered to make decisions that align with the bigger picture, even as things change.
Intent provides the guardrails for independent thinking. If your team knows not just what needs to be done but why it matters, they can confidently act without waiting for continual direction.
When communicating intent, it helps to phrase it as a “because” statement that reinforces the bigger picture. For example: "We need to confirm the test environment setup for the software deployment by the end of the week because the vendor’s testing window starts Monday, and missing it would delay us another month."
When intent is clear, your team understands not just what to do but why it matters—and can act accordingly, even in the face of uncertainty.
Examples of Objectives and Intent:
Objective: We need to resolve 90% of support tickets within 24 hours this month. Because: Service KPIs will be breached, triggering contractual penalties.
Objective: We need to conduct the team training session on the updated system tool by Tuesday. Because: We need to provide feedback on the new system by the end of next week.
Bringing It All Together
When operating in turbulent times, the most effective leaders clarify both their objectives and intent. Objectives keep your team grounded in what to focus on right now, while intent provides the empowerment and confidence to navigate challenges independently.
Here’s the secret though: You don’t need to have all the answers to lead with clarity. Acknowledge the uncertainty, but focus on what’s most important in the moment. This transparency inspires confidence and gives your team the courage to move forward—even when the path ahead remains unclear.