Five years ago this week, we found ourselves in uncharted waters. The world had just begun to shut down. Offices closed. Schools pivoted. Zoom became a noun. We didn’t know how long the storm would last, only that it had hit—and hard.
Now, here we are again. The economic winds are howling. The stock market has taken a nosedive. Small businesses are feeling the squeeze, employees are anxious, and leaders are once again being called to the wheel to steer through uncertainty.
It feels familiar, doesn’t it?
The storm may look different, but the tools you used to survive—and even thrive—during the pandemic still apply. In fact, they may be more important now than ever.
Here are three lessons from five years ago that we’d be wise to reclaim today.
Steady the Ship: Lead with Calm and Clarity
In the early days of the pandemic, what people needed most was a calm voice in the chaos. Leaders who communicated clearly, acknowledged uncertainty without feeding fear, and showed up with presence—not perfection—helped their teams stay afloat.
You don’t need to have all the answers now either. But you do need to keep showing up. When markets tumble and news headlines scream crisis, people are looking to their leaders not just for strategy, but for stability. Even if you can’t promise smooth sailing, you can offer a steady hand on the wheel.
Ask yourself: How am I being a non-anxious presence for those I lead?
Adjust the Sails: Stay Flexible and Focused
One of the biggest lessons from 2020 was this: rigidity sinks ships. The leaders who adapted, pivoted, and stayed agile were the ones who helped their teams weather the storm.
Whether it was moving operations online, finding new ways to connect with customers, or reimagining roles and resources, flexibility became a superpower.
The economic uncertainty we’re facing now may call for similar creativity. This is a moment to reassess: What do we need to let go of? Where can we streamline, simplify, or innovate?
Being flexible doesn’t mean abandoning your mission. It means adjusting your sails so you can keep moving forward—even when the wind changes.
Anchor in Purpose: Remind People Why It Matters
During the pandemic, the most resilient teams were the ones anchored in purpose. They knew what they were fighting for, not just what they were fighting through.
That same principle holds true today. Economic turbulence can make people feel like they’re drifting. Your job as a leader is to help them remember the “why.” Why their work matters. Why their contribution is important. Why it’s important to keep showing up—even on hard days.
When fear starts to take the wheel, purpose keeps you pointed toward true north.
Looking Ahead
History doesn’t just teach us—it prepares us. Five years ago, you learned what it meant to lead through crisis. You discovered strength you didn’t know you had. You built new muscles, deepened relationships, and grew in ways that only hardship can bring.
Now, you get to carry those lessons forward.
The storm may rage again, but you are not the same leader you were back then. You’ve got experience. You have grit. And we have each other.
Steady the ship, adjust the sails, and anchor deep in your purpose. You’ve navigated rough waters before.
And you will again. We’ll be right there with you.
Blessings,
Chris Ann Williams, CEO