I just returned from a delayed honeymoon in Puerto Rico. We had a fabulous time.

While driving to our Airbnb, I thought about how today’s turbulent business environment is like driving unfamiliar mountain roads during a rainstorm.

You can’t always see what’s ahead. The curves are sharper than expected. The conditions change fast. If you’re not intentional, you’ll find yourself reacting instead of confidently staying in control.

The best leaders don’t panic or freeze when things get uncertain. They adapt, take control, and focus on what moves their team and results forward—no matter what’s happening around them.

Here are three quick ways to lead with clarity and confidence, no matter what’s going on around you:

1. Stop Guessing the Future—Start Creating It
Most leaders get caught up in trying to predict what’s coming next: “What if sales drop?” “What if the team struggles?” “What if things get worse?”

Shift your focus from worrying about what might happen to what you can make happen.

Ask yourself daily: “What is one action I can take today to move us forward?”

The leaders who create momentum in uncertainty aren’t fortune tellers—they’re action takers.

2. Control the Controllable
Uncertainty feels overwhelming because we spend too much time worrying about things we can’t control. Instead, think about the things you control and focus on:

✅ The decisions you make.
✅ The priorities you set.
✅ The energy you bring.
✅ The daily actions you and your staff take.

Everything else? It’s noise. High-performance leaders focus where they have power, not where they don’t.

3️. Lead the Narrative–Not Just the Reaction
In uncertain times, teams look to their leaders for direction and confidence. But too often, leaders unknowingly mirror the uncertainty around them—waiting to see what happens instead of shaping what happens.

One of the most powerful things you can do is control the message:

• Emphasize what the team can control and the impact it has on results.

• Reinforce what matters most—so your team isn’t distracted by the noise.

• Set the tone with your actions—because uncertainty amplifies what leaders do, not just what they say.

If you don’t create the narrative, someone else will—and it may not be the one you want.

Doug “3x” Fleener

Want More Ways to Become a Stronger Leader? Uncertainty isn’t a roadblock—it’s a chance to step up, lead with impact, and outperform those who hesitate.

That’s why I created the 3X Leadership Playbook—a proven, actionable guide for business owners and executives who want to lead confidently, maximize impact, and uncover opportunities—even in unpredictable times.

🎯 Hundreds of leaders have already downloaded this playbook—don’t miss out!

👉 Get your free copy below and take control of your performance.