What’s scarier than Halloween?
The uncertainty leaders confront every day.

The costumes, masks, and scares are fleeting - the pressure leaders face to make decisions without clarity is not.

I’ve seen firsthand how quickly policy shifts, funding delays, or sudden operational challenges can upend even the most well-designed programs - including my own.

During an outreach campaign at my previous company, a vendor failed to deliver critical data. We had limited time and three options: move forward without it, contract a new provider, or cancel the campaign. Because we had a plan and a strong implementation system, we onboarded a new vendor, recalibrated the strategy, and executed, despite uncertainty.

Fear wasn’t eliminated. It was managed.

I could have let fear take over - fear of failure, of wasted resources, of being second-guessed. Instead, I chose to act with the information available, and build momentum through execution rather than hesitation.

Organizations that thrive don’t wait for certainty, they build systems that allow them to adapt in real time, maintain mission focus, and lead through the unknown.

Key reflections from this experience

• Fear is a signal, not a stop sign - it highlights what matters.

• Preparation converts uncertainty into opportunity.

• Contingency planning isn’t optional - build a plan for the plan.

• Action beats perfection - every decision builds resilience.

Questions to reflect on

• When have you moved forward without perfect information, and what did you learn?

• How do you help your team navigate uncertainty while staying mission-aligned?

Leadership isn't built in calm - it's shaped in the unknown.

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