What do you do when you don’t have the answers?
Most people panic, shut down, or fake it ‘til they make it. But here’s the truth: in today’s world, where uncertainty is the new normal, the most influential leaders aren’t the ones who claim to “know it all.” They’re the ones willing to learn it all.
I was reminded of this at the WorkHuman Conference this year, where I had the pleasure of attending a powerful fireside chat with Trevor Noah and WorkHuman’s Chief People Officer, KeyAnna Schmiedl. Trevor—brilliant, insightful, and as funny as ever—shared something that stopped me in my tracks.
He said that when working with leaders at Microsoft, the expectation isn’t that you have all the answers. What people want—what they need—is for you to:
- Ask thoughtful questions
- Stay curious
- And communicate clearly and honestly—not just with blind optimism, but with grounded confidence.
This isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the new Influence Playbook for Uncertain Times. And it mirrors what Harvard Business Review recently highlighted in their article, How to Be a Leader When the Path Ahead Is Unclear.
Let me walk you through five key lessons that I believe every modern leader needs to embody—whether you’re guiding a team, closing a sale, or simply trying to hold it together when things feel shaky.
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1. Embrace the Discomfort of Not Knowing
Let’s normalize this: You don’t have to have all the answers to be a strong leader.
Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, said it best: Leaders must shift from a “know-it-all” to a “learn-it-all” mindset. And whew—if that isn’t the most freeing thing for all of us high-achievers, I don’t know what is.
The pressure to always be the smartest one in the room is exhausting. And spoiler alert: it doesn’t work. Influence isn’t about pretending to know—it’s about staying curious and creating space for discovery.
Next time you’re in a meeting and feel the urge to bluff or overtalk, try this instead:
“I don’t have the full picture yet, but here’s what I do know—and here’s what I’m going to explore further.”
That kind of honesty builds trust. That’s influence.
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2. Distinguish Between Complicated and Complex
This gem came from the queen of reality-based leadership herself, Cy Wakeman, during her keynote at WorkHuman.
She said: “Complex problems are workable. Complicated ones are man-made.”
Whew. Let that marinate.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Complicated problems may have multiple moving parts, but they can be solved with expertise and process (like fixing a broken system).
- Complex problems don’t have clear solutions—they require iteration, collaboration, and the humility to try, fail, and learn (like navigating cultural shifts or market uncertainty).
As leaders, we often confuse the two. We treat complex problems like they just need a better spreadsheet or a few more meetings. Nope. Complex problems require us to slow down, listen deeply, and trust the process.
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3. Aim for Progress Over Perfection
High-achievers, I’m looking at you (and yes, I’m talking to myself, too). We love to get it right. But in times of uncertainty, perfection is the enemy of progress.
From the HBR article:
“To let go of perfectionism, identify and acknowledge your specific core fears—such as ‘I’ll fail,’ ‘I’ll look bad,’ or ‘I’ll make the wrong decision.’”
Here’s the shift:
- Replace “What if I get it wrong?” with “What can I learn if I try?”
- Instead of obsessing over being “the expert,” focus on being in the arena—learning, adjusting, and growing.
Remember: You can’t lead people to clarity if you’re stuck in fear of imperfection.
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4. Resist Oversimplifications and Quick Conclusions
Let’s be honest—when things feel uncertain, we crave control. And one of the fastest ways our brain tries to find it is by jumping to conclusions.
But here’s the trap: oversimplifying a complex issue might feel comforting in the moment, but it leads to poor decisions and eroded trust in the long run.
Influential leaders know how to pause and stay with the tension. They resist the urge to “fix it” quickly and instead focus on:
- Understanding the root of the problem
- Surfacing their own assumptions and biases
- Asking better questions instead of giving faster answers
Try this reframe:
“What else might be true here?” or “What are we not seeing yet?”
That’s where clarity—and influence—lives.
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5. Step Away to See Clearly
Listen, sometimes the best thing you can do as a leader is zoom out.
Step away from the heat of the moment. Step away from the Slack messages, the noise, the pressure to respond right now.
Pull in outside counsel. Call your trusted circle. Take a walk. Sit with a journal. Pray. Meditate. Whatever it takes to see the big picture again.
Because influence isn’t always about being in the action—it’s about creating space for wisdom to show up.
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Final Thoughts: Influence in Uncertain Times Is a Whole New Game
The most magnetic leaders today aren’t the ones barking orders or faking certainty. They’re the ones who say,
- “Let’s figure this out together.”
- “Here’s what I know—and here’s what I’m learning.”
- “I trust us to make progress, even if we can’t see the whole path yet.”
That’s how you lead through uncertainty.
That’s how you build trust.
That’s how you become the person people want to follow.
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Call to Action:
Want more ways to influence through uncertainty?
Download my free Leadership Reset Guide: 5 Questions to Help You Lead When the Path Isn’t Clear. Because real influence isn’t about always knowing—it’s about always growing.