We are living in VUCA times. VUCA stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous, describing the environment in which organizations and leaders are increasingly operating. The current pace of rapid change and general uncertainty requires leaders to take new approaches to leading and living. With all of this change, many people across the country are asking themselves, “What now?”
Nebo leadership coach and CEO Kate Ebner suggests six strategies for coaching yourself through a resilient transition:
- Create the space you need. Take a real break. Connect with what inspires you. Schedule “away” or “down” time for self-reflection, creativity, and connection or an oasis of private time. Separate the process of finding your “next” with the process of caring for yourself. Do both with the same commitment that you brought to your last job.
- Get Oriented. First, orient to the journey. Ask yourself, “Where have I been?,” “Where am I now?,” and “Where do I want to go?” Then orient to YOU, the traveler on the journey. Take time to explore your beliefs, your commitments, your values. Notice your sources of apprehension and of confidence. What are your gifts and strengths? How do you want to tell your story?
- Check in with yourself frequently. Check-in using your emotional intelligence. Ask yourself, “How am I doing?,” “What do I need?,” and “What do I choose? Notice how your needs have changed in this period. Allow for ups and downs. Be honest with yourself about how you are feeling. Remind yourself that this situation will not last forever.
- Anchor in your values. What matters most to you? Identify your top four or five values and use them to weigh decisions and make choices. Don’t be afraid if they guide you in a different direction than you’ve been going. Trust your gut.
- Remember not to go it alone! Identify and reach for your support systems. Say yes to offers of help, even if you don’t think you need it.
- Look with clear eyes. Create a vision for the future. Look forward, not backwards. Don’t let what has happened in the past determine what is possible in the future.
As you navigate the path of transition, these six strategies can be used as tools to guide and ground you. By creating space for self-care, orienting yourself to your journey, and anchoring in your values, you lay the groundwork for a future that aligns with your true self. Embrace the support around you and trust in your inner guidance as you craft a vision for what lies ahead. This period of change is an opportunity to redefine your story, and with thoughtful reflection and intentional action, you can emerge stronger and more aligned with your purpose.
While you may not control the environment around you, you can choose how you move through it. With courage, clarity, and community, each transition becomes a chance to realign with purpose and possibility. Resilience isn’t about bouncing back—it’s about moving forward, wiser and more grounded than before.
As you coach yourself through a transition and look to create a vision for your future, join us in the Nebo Leadership Academy’s Make Your Vision Real course.
