Rethink the Way, Seize the Day: A Guide to Leading Through Change

In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable environment, many leaders are feeling the pressure to deliver results -- often with fewer resources, more complexity, and teams who are stretched thin. The old playbook of control and consistency no longer applies. To truly thrive in these times, leaders must do more than manage change. They must lead their teams through it -- with courage and clarity.

The global pandemic of 2020 was the last time we experienced such disruption. Here’s an example of what leaders at General Motors did.

Pivoting Production Amid Crisis. In response to the urgent need for ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic, General Motors (GM) swiftly retooled its manufacturing facilities to produce medical equipment. This rapid adaptation not only addressed a critical public health need but also showcased GM's agility and commitment to societal responsibility, enhancing its corporate reputation and stakeholder trust. 

In that moment, leaders at GM realized that there were many things out of their control. They then made the decision to start by taking control of the single most powerful thing they could -- their minds. From there, the actions followed.

Here is how you can do the same.

1. Shift from Maintain Status Quo to Growth Mindset

The concept of Growth Mindset has been around for decades, and it’s never been needed more than now. The first and most important shift begins in the mind. During disruptions, people often cling to the familiar and try to maintain the status quo. But this is exactly when it’s time to lean in to change.

Be the leader that helps your team break free from the limiting beliefs and routines that keep them stuck. This means mitigating risks while also encouraging creative thinking, embracing uncertainty, and moving from pure left-brain “protect and preserve” habits to include right-brain “explore and evolve” possibilities. It’s a mindset shift that opens the door to innovation for the business and builds resilience and adaptability in your people.

One powerful starting point is asking: “What are we telling ourselves about this moment—and is it helping or holding us back?”

2. Create Space for Honest Dialogue

After that mind-opening question, before a team can move forward, they need permission to pause. In high-pressure environments, people often feel they have to suppress doubts or hide discomfort from their leaders. But ignoring these feelings doesn’t make them go away -- it just buries the very insights that could lead to breakthrough thinking.

Great leaders create psychological safety by fostering spaces where team members can openly express concerns, ask hard questions, and reflect on what’s really going on beneath the surface.

By exploring patterns in how team members think, feel, and respond during times of stress, you gain deeper insight into those internal narratives that trigger resistance or fear. This kind of honest reflection doesn’t slow down performance -- it accelerates it by removing hidden friction.

3. Reframe the Challenge

Once the truth is on the table, the next step is helping the team reframe the situation through a lens of growth. This isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything is fine. It is instead recognizing that adversity, while uncomfortable, often contains the seeds of transformation.

Start by asking yourself and your team:

• “What if” - What if this challenge is somehow a gift?

• “What could” - What could new strengths or solutions emerging from this mean for us?

• “What would” - What would it take to explore the possibilities?

This perspective invites the team to think creatively, act intentionally, and find meaning in the moment; even when things are hard. It transforms a reactive team into a resilient one.

4. Translate Insight into Action

Insight alone doesn’t create results. Once your team has clarity around what’s holding them back and begins to think about what’s possible, the key is to help them channel that energy into aligned, forward-focused action.

This includes:

• Using a structured approach to define clear next steps for individuals and the group

• Building in an accountability system so ideas don’t fade

• Celebrating small wins to build confidence and momentum

When people see progress -- and know they’re supported along the way -- it confirms a new narrative about what’s possible, and fuels belief and trust.

Leading with Courage and Clarity

Disruption provides a rare opportunity for you as a leader to stand out in a very good way. In times of change, people don’t need perfection from their leaders. They need presence. They need honesty. They need hope. And they need someone who sees the opportunity inside the obstacle.

Leading this way isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Because when leaders create space for real conversations, invite growth-oriented thinking, and turn intention into action, their teams don’t just survive disruption.

They rise because of it.

Want to explore how to apply this leadership approach within your organization? Let’s talk.