How to Lead When Things Feel Uncertain

Four stabilizing moves for small business owners facing foggy futures

Some seasons bring momentum. Others bring fog.

You know the feeling. Revenue’s bouncing, the market’s shifting, and what worked last quarter suddenly feels off. You’re still showing up, still making decisions—but under the surface, there’s a creeping question:

“Am I even on the right track anymore?”

You’re not alone. Uncertainty is part of the terrain. But staying stuck in it doesn’t have to be.

When the ground beneath your business starts to shift, here are four moves that help bring clarity, direction, and traction.

1. Cash Buys You Calm

When everything else feels wobbly, cash steadies the ship.

And I’m not just talking about “cash in the bank.” I’m talking about the systems that support it—billing, collecting, forecasting, and keeping just enough fuel in the tank to ride out the storm.

Ask yourself:

• Are your receivables where they should be?

• Are you paying for things that aren’t giving you a return?

• Is inventory tying up dollars that could be working elsewhere?

Even a few minor adjustments can create the breathing room you need to lead from a place of strength, not panic.

“In times of uncertainty, cash gives you the margin to think clearly.” — Rick Slark 

2. Don’t Disappear—Stay Visible, Stay Valuable

When the future gets fuzzy, many business owners go quiet. Marketing slows. Sales check-ins stall. And customers are left wondering where you went.

But this is precisely when your people need to hear from you.

They don’t need perfection. They need relevance. They need a steady hand and a reminder that you’re still solving real problems.

So:

• Reconnect with your best customers.

• Let them know what’s changing (and what isn’t).

• Show them you’re still here, still clear, and still committed.

“The businesses that stay visible in uncertain times are the ones people remember when things settle.”

3. Focus on What’s Working Right Now

You don’t need to overhaul your business in times like these. But you do need to focus.

Here’s a simple prompt:

• Who are your most profitable, reliable customers?

• What services or products are still delivering value (and margin)?

• Where are you spending energy that’s not paying off?

Uncertainty tends to blur everything. Clarity comes from narrowing your attention to what’s working now, not what worked last year, or what might work in six months.

Don’t chase. Strengthen what’s already strong.

4. Tighten Your Risk Posture

Chaos creates cracks. And the longer the uncertainty lasts, the more those cracks widen.

This is the time to quietly—but deliberately—reinforce the areas that could cost you dearly:

• Cybersecurity. Passwords, backups, vendor access.

• Financial controls. Who touches what? What’s automated? What isn’t?

• Contingency plans. What if your top client leaves? What if a system fails?

You don’t need to live in fear. But you do need to walk the perimeter and secure the gate.

“Most vulnerabilities show up when your attention is elsewhere.”

Final Thought: You Don’t Need Certainty to Lead—You Just Need to Act

Uncertainty will visit your business more than once. You can’t always control the conditions, but you can control how you respond.

So don’t wait for perfect clarity.

Start with what you know. Tighten what’s loose. Focus on where the value is. Take the next step—even if it’s a small one.

And if you’d like to talk through what that step could be, I’m always up for a good conversation. No pressure. Just clarity, perspective, and a game plan that fits the moment you’re in.

Let’s talk about where you are and what needs to happen next:Schedule a Call with Me Or take a look at the resources I’ve put together here: SCG Resource Library