Steadiness During Volatility
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When the ground beneath your career starts to shift—whether it’s a company reorg, industry-wide layoffs, or economic uncertainty—it’s easy to feel like you're just trying to keep your footing.
The decisions coming down from leadership seem distant. Your projects stall. The momentum you were building evaporates. Even if your job is technically secure, it’s hard to focus when the direction keeps changing. And somewhere in the blur of change, you begin to lose your sense of self in your work.
That’s what Tyler was facing. As a Director of Content Development for a major streaming service, he was used to working at a fast pace. Pitching projects, leading teams, bringing stories to life. But a recent restructure slowed everything down. Projects were delayed. Teams were shifted. Priorities changed weekly.
Tyler started to question his value. Without a clear direction, he felt adrift. He wasn’t burnt out, exactly—but he wasn’t energized either. His creative spark dimmed, and his confidence took a hit.
In coaching, we uncovered the truth: Tyler had stopped using his core strengths. He was so busy reacting to external changes that he forgot to anchor himself to what makes him feel confident, steady, and impactful.
If you’re navigating instability and feeling unmoored, know this: you don’t have to wait for things to settle in order to find your footing. Your strengths are your anchor. Here's how to use them when everything else feels uncertain.
1. Identify the Strengths That Keep You Grounded
Tyler’s Challenge: The instability around him made Tyler unsure of where to put his energy. So he kept his head down, did what was asked, and quietly waited for direction. The problem? That left him feeling invisible and disengaged.
Why This Strategy Works: When you’re clear on your core strengths—the things that energize and stabilize you—you can use them to stay rooted in who you are, even when the external environment is in flux.
How You Can Apply It:
✓ Reflect on the strengths you’ve used during past periods of uncertainty. What helped you stay centered then?
✓ Take a moment to write down three strengths that feel the most natural to you—and note how each one helps you navigate tough moments.
✓ Anchor your day with one of these strengths. Ask: How can I use this to bring meaning to my work today?
Example: Tyler realized that one of his core strengths was creative problem-solving. In the past, this strength helped him make bold editorial calls. He decided to lean back into it—offering ideas during leadership meetings and suggesting ways to repurpose paused projects. His voice returned, and so did his confidence.
2. Apply Your Strengths in Small, Intentional Ways
Tyler’s Challenge: The volatility around him made everything feel high-stakes. He thought using his strengths meant taking on huge, visible initiatives—but there were few opportunities for that in the chaos.
Why This Strategy Works: Confidence builds when you use your strengths frequently, not just visibly. When things feel unstable, applying your strengths in small ways brings a sense of stability, ownership, and control.
How You Can Apply It:
✓ Don’t wait for big moments—look for micro-moments in your day where your strengths can shine.
✓ Turn routine work into strength-based opportunities. For example, if your strength is storytelling, bring that into internal updates or presentations.
✓ At the end of each day, ask: Where did I use one of my strengths today?
Example: Tyler started using his strategic communication strength in team Slack channels—crafting updates that made others feel informed and reassured. This low-key action reestablished his presence and created a ripple effect of confidence on his team.
3. Lead From Strength—Even Without a Formal Role Change
Tyler’s Challenge: With leadership distracted and roles constantly shifting, Tyler felt like there was no space to grow—or even be seen. He began to shrink back, waiting for structure to return.
Why This Strategy Works: You don’t need a new title or project to lead. When you use your strengths visibly, you remind others (and yourself) of your value. This positions you for future growth—even if things are unclear now.
How You Can Apply It:
✓ Speak up in meetings using your strength as a lens: “Here’s what I’m noticing through a content strategy lens…”
✓ Offer support to others in areas where you naturally excel—this creates visibility and builds trust.
✓ Take initiative where you feel most aligned—even a small step shows leadership presence.
Example: Tyler began leading short creative brainstorming sessions, even though no one asked him to. He leveraged his strength in facilitation to give his team space to reconnect creatively. Not only did this energize him, but it positioned him as a steadying force during a time when the team needed it most.
Your Next Move: Use What’s Already Within You
In times of change, it’s easy to go quiet, pull back, and wait for certainty to return. But your strengths don’t need stability to be powerful.
✓ Identify the strengths that ground and energize you
✓ Use them daily—even in small, subtle ways
✓ Lead from your strengths, regardless of title or structure
Tyler didn’t wait for stability—he created it by reconnecting to what made him effective in the first place.
And so can you. Your strengths are steady, even when nothing else is.
Your strengths are the one thing you can always control.
When everything feels unpredictable, your strengths become your personal power source—an internal compass that tells you: ✓ What to focus on ✓ How you work best under pressure ✓ What value you bring in uncertain moments
That’s why I created the FREE Playing to Your Strengths Quiz. In under 3 minutes, you’ll learn whether you’re currently aligned with your natural strengths—or relying on coping mechanisms that drain you.
👉 Take the Free Quiz Here
Want to go deeper? The Hello Inner Genius Strengths Assessment will give you a personalized breakdown of your top strengths—and how to use them to lead and perform at your best, no matter what’s happening around you.
👉 Discover Your Strengths Here
Volatility is inevitable. But losing yourself in it? That’s optional.