Periods of economic turbulence can make even the most seasoned business leaders feel uneasy, worried or fearful about the future. Yet, it is precisely at such moments of uncertainty that teams look to their leaders for candor and a shared sense of purpose. 

Being honest and transparent about challenges while projecting steadiness and stability demands clear communication, empathy and a people-first mindset. Here, Forbes Coaches Council members share concrete steps leaders can take to inspire confidence when teams need it most.

Name Fears And Facts While Avoiding Speculation

An emotionally intelligent leader can get to the first step quickly—to name their fears and clarify their feelings about the uncertainty. This allows the leader to communicate the facts, as far as they are known, authentically and transparently to continue to inspire, build trust and seek alignment with their teams. Avoid speculation of the unknown to prevent drama. – Cellene Hoogenkamp, KokuaHub Inc Coaching

Consider Past Adaptations To Reframe Challenges

It starts with creating the right leadership mindset by considering past examples of your own company or other companies adapting to economic and business challenges to arrive at a more sustainable business model. Because of sustainability, there is employability. This is encouraging and normalizes change, reducing unease. Once the leader is in a clear mindset, this can be communicated to the team. – Jamie Griffith, Echelon Search Partners

Transform Fear Into Innovation And Clarity

Fear, a physical aspect of discernment, calls leaders to trust in themselves and their teams. Be clear about threats and risks as you see them. Remind your teams of past wins, portraying hard facts as templates for evolution. Invite even unlikely ideas to the table to shift overwhelm to creativity. Affirm all players and transform chemicals of fear into dynamic innovation. – Sharon A. Kuhn, Sharon Kuhn Consulting

Redirect Focus Toward Possibility And Growth

What you focus on becomes your reality. Dwell on worry, and more worry follows. What you focus on grows, so shift your energy to positive movement and possibility. Change how you experience challenges. See the present moment as an opportunity for growth instead of something to fear. This is what you signed up for, both when you chose to lead and when you chose your path in this life. – Cara Heilmann, International Association of Career Coaches

Create Calm And Lead With Intention

In times like these, leaders must be both anchors and architects. They need to create calm and lead with intention. The antidote to uncertainty isn’t certainty; it’s presence. From that grounded place, get clear on what’s known and what’s unknown. Communicate often, even if the update is simply, “Here are the known unknowns.” Consistent honesty builds trust. – Jill D. Griffin, The Griffin Method

Balance Vulnerability And Strong Support

Through the lens of strengths-based leadership, followers need trust, stability, hope and compassion. Sharing one’s vulnerability while also championing others and their ideas, and looking for differing opinions and options, is a great way to support all four pillars. People value those who can show up in the truest sense—whether things are going well or not. Humans crave humanity. – Jo Self, Practical Strengths

Acknowledge Risks; Share Inspiring Examples 

Validate the fear by first checking whether the unease is real or simply an assumption. Seek a second opinion. If the risk is real and not imposter syndrome, take the approach great commanders use before entering battle: Acknowledge the danger honestly, then ground the team with proven examples of how others have navigated similar volatility. This creates truth without panic and confidence without denial. – Nav Thethi, The Nav Thethi

Clarify What Will Change And What Will Not

Share openly with your team: “Here’s what will change and what won’t.” When we can’t find stability outside, we must create it within. Here’s an example: “What won’t change is our shared values, care for clients and adaptability. What may change is how we create value or the timing of initiatives.” Clarity restores stability. When you name what’s true, you turn anxiety into trust. – Marissa Brassfield, CTOx

Anchor Teams In Purpose To Counter Fear

Communicate the uncertainty, yet transmute the fear into faith by helping employees connect back to something stable: purpose. Highlight how the work employees are doing today is creating a better, brighter future for the customers served. How the work is conducted may change, but the impact made won’t. In addition, show compassion by reiterating company well-being benefits that can help reduce stress. – Jaclynn Robinson, Nine Muses Consulting, LLC

Focus Teams On What They Can Control

Leaders who are transparent, vulnerable and authentic are the ones who lead their teams well through hard times. Most people will see right through anything less. CTC—Control the Controllables—is the reframe. Simple statements like, “Here is where we have control, so let’s focus there,” instead of wasting time on things we can’t control, help to build trust and inspire them to act where they can. – Jen Croneberger, Human Leadership Institute

Curate Instead Of Overcommunicating

In uncertain times, it’s easy to overcommunicate. What if a leader started curating instead? Instead of bombarding your team with every worry or plan, opt to host a pause briefing—15 minutes to name one thing that changed this week and one principle that will not. It anchors people in consistency, not control. In ambiguity, less noise and more signals build trust. – Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory

Address The Elephant In The Room

Addressing the elephant in the room is powerful. Acknowledge what you know, what you don’t know and what you’re preparing to do. Transparency builds trust. Leaders should also assure their teams that they’re consulting the best experts and resources available and are committed to supporting anyone who may be impacted. Honesty plus direction inspires confidence in uncertain times. – Sandra Balogun, The CPA Leader

Stabilize Teams With Credible Expert Insights

Tap into resources and experts who can speak to your group or who have credible insights. Reacting to the recent news, politics or ebbs and flows of any economy reduces your energy and pulls you toward negativity. Fight that by listening to credible insights. I have even brought in local university economists to speak to my groups. It calmed people down and provided wisdom, not headlines. – John M. O’Connor, Career Pro Inc.

Demonstrate Integrity Through Values-Driven Action

One step is to lead with transparent, values-driven action. When leaders openly acknowledge uncertainty and commit to sharing the burden—like taking a pay cut before asking their people to sacrifice—they show integrity in a way that words alone can’t. That kind of modeling builds trust and reminds everyone that they’re being led by someone who won’t abandon them when things get tough. – Megan Malone, Truity

Build Trust With Open, Unscripted Dialogue

A leader can host a “Transparent Table” session—no scripts, no spin. They share what they do know, what they don’t know and what the team will focus on together next. This turns uncertainty into shared problem-solving. When people feel included in the truth, they don’t lose confidence—they gain ownership, resilience and trust in the leader guiding them through the storm. – Dr. Adil Dalal, Pinnacle Process Solutions, Intl., LLC

Align Inner Beliefs Before Communicating Outward

When a leader feels uneasy, the issue isn’t what to say—it’s what they truly believe. Teams instantly sense when confidence is faked. Before speaking, pause and realign with your purpose and the company’s direction. Leaders with genuine inner authority don’t feign certainty; they project a grounded belief that answers will emerge. External communication always mirrors internal alignment. – Carlos Hoyos, Elite Leader Institute

Provide A Full, Balanced Picture Of Risk And Opportunity

Communicate the full picture—the risks, how you’re mitigating them and where opportunities lie. By clearly outlining key factors, such as market trends, financial resilience, customer shifts and operational impacts, leaders show transparency and strategic thinking. This balanced communication builds trust, reassures teams that challenges are being managed and keeps people engaged in pursuing opportunities. – Stephan Lendi, Newbury Media & Communications GmbH

Host A Standing ‘Uncertainty Brief’ Weekly

Host a standing “Uncertainty Brief” every Friday. In 10 minutes, tell the team what’s true, what’s not yet known and the next bet, along with an owner and a review date. Take two questions, then close. Repeat weekly. Cadence plus candor steadies people: You name the fog, chart a waypoint and keep everyone moving with you. – Patricia Burlaud, P. Burlaud Consulting, LLC

Use Honest, Frequent Updates To Reinforce Purpose

When leaders feel uneasy about the future, the most powerful step is to communicate early and often. Frame every update with: “Here’s what we know, what we don’t and what you can expect.” That honesty creates psychological safety. To inspire, connect the moment to the mission. Remind your team who they are, what they’re capable of and why it still matters. That builds trust and momentum. – Lisa L. Baker, Ascentim

This article was originally posted on Forbes.com.