By Meghan Hennessy

Today’s leadership landscape is more complex and unpredictable than ever. There are constant shifts in priorities, there’s AI tech to integrate, there are generations of employees leaving the workforce, and others that are struggling to enter. We consume conflicting business messages: build safety and support for your team, lean into health and wellbeing — but also do more with less, and scale back your organisation to accomplish 3x as much as last year.

How do we navigate it all? In a world where change is relentless, the best leaders remain lifelong learners, perpetual students of leadership. Yet even the most seasoned leaders can feel the weight of overwhelm when the ground beneath them keeps shifting. Then, the question becomes: how do you keep evolving, growing, and leading with clarity, when change is a constant?

Many of us find the best way to build a healthy lifestyle is to train. We show up at the gym, practice healthy habits, and push beyond our comfort zones to get stronger. Leadership works the same way: it’s a muscle you have to grow, stretch and strengthen over time. There’s no finish line, only continuous learning and improvement. With that, where do you begin?

Check your stats

Just like any good training plan, first, CHECK YOUR STATS. Even in the C-Suite, go back to the basics. Begin to evaluate, ‘What’s going on with me? What’s my current strength level?’ And how do you do this? Start with your ego.

We all have an ego, there’s no getting around that. And leadership is a great way to trigger that ego. Is it rearing its head when an ask to shift comes from the business? Name that. And then, identify your fears. There are a lot of them out there. We may not know what to say as a leader, what decision to make, how to implement technology. Begin to understand what’s holding you back from moving forward.

Build your base

Then, BUILD YOUR BASE. You’ll need a strong “Leadership Toolbox” to support you.

Have a tool belt of tips and tricks for when fear and ego take a front seat. Because there will be days that they do. We’re human, we’re not perfect.

• There’s a lot of fear even in the healthiest of organisations, name the fear to your team, and practice vulnerability. Has ‘AI takeover’ come up? Share “AI is here, and it’s scary for some, let’s see what AI tools may be supportive to us.”
• You’ll be stressed some days, or off your game. Are you having a tough day? Vent up or across, not down. There’s a fine line between vulnerability and venting. The negativity surrounding venting will drain your organisation.
• Ensure your actions match your words. Model what you preach, as your organisation can feel when it’s off. Are you building a work-life balance culture, but also sending messages and asks around the clock? Put a delay on that Slack message, or schedule that email to send the next day.

Have your spotters

Going forward, HAVE YOUR SPOTTERS. The stronger you get, the more you need support along the way. Training cannot be done alone. Cultivate a community of support.

• Network in the community. We often get stuck, heads down in our role. Go outside of your day job and connect with other leaders, others outside of your role-scope.
• Ask for help. You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room, and you don’t need to do it all. Lean on other experts in the community.
• Hire smart. You can fill in gaps in your opportunity areas by hiring individuals into your organisation. Hire smarter than you, and grow those team members.

Have a coach

And be sure to always HAVE A COACH. The strongest and healthiest have someone pushing them, guiding them, teaching them. Get yourself a mentor. And many of them.

• Identify 1-2 peers in every new organisation you join, individuals you admire. Ask for them to mentor you. And, you do not need an official ‘mentorship program’ to have mentors.
• Find at least one individual outside of your immediate organisation as a mentor, a completely different team. This is crucial. This mentor gives you a new sense of business understanding.
• Have a mentor in your community. Perhaps a leader you look up to, or an executive coach (should it financially work).
• And, a mentor doesn’t need to be someone you know. It can also be a top voice in the industry, sharing insights and updates that you regularly read or intake.

Keep building, keep learning, and keep growing. The future of talent and business demands adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace change. Leadership looks different every day, and staying vulnerable and open is key to navigating what’s ahead.

Fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to drive you. When uncertainty sets in, return to the fundamentals: check your stats, rebuild your base, tap your spotters, and lean on your coach. Leadership, like health, is built through continual practice. There’s no magic formula, no finish line — only the ongoing work of showing up, strengthening your skills, and becoming better.