12 Ways Leaders Can Lead Through Uncertainty Without Losing Momentum

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As posted on RollingStone / Culture Council
February 23, 2026
Thomas Andersen, BTA Cannabis CPA Tax, featured as a member of the RollingStone Culture Council’s Expert Panel

Uncertainty is part of leadership, especially in industries shaped by rapid change, creative risk and market volatility. But making decisions without full visibility doesn’t mean acting alone or rushing blindly. The challenge is balancing decisiveness with collaboration, and speed with thoughtful input.

To help you do this, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share how they navigate high-stakes choices in uncertain environments, and how they involve their teams in ways that build trust and alignment without slowing progress.

Pair Available Data With Intuition

There is never perfect information, the grass is always greener and hindsight is 20/20. The best you can do is data-informed decision-making, if that works for you, as well as intuition. In the absence of data, the gut check sometimes still wins. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not. – Julie Zinamon, Vataseason

Wait for Just Enough Information to Move

I don’t wait for certainty—I wait for enough information to move. I decide quickly on direction, not perfection. I bring my team in for friction, not consensus. I name the risk out loud so we’re aligned, not afraid. Then I move, adjust and take responsibility for the outcome. – Stephanie Dillon, Stephanie Dillon Art

Be Transparent About What You Do Know and Outline Available Options

Don’t surrender to incomplete information; minimize it. Accept that not all answers will be in hand during a game-time decision, so transparency with your team and audience is vital. Share what you do know, outline options and make clear that the situation is evolving. If the facts shift, be willing to shift, too. Adaptability keeps us moving forward even when certainty is out of reach. – Andy Hale, Hale & Monico

Decide Based on What’s Known, But Stay Flexible as New Data Emerges

In uncertain environments, I lead with clarity of values and speed of learning. I make informed decisions based on what’s known, remain flexible as new data emerges and involve my team through focused input, not consensus. Progress comes from trust, accountability and the willingness to adjust without hesitation. – Kimberly S. Reed, Reed Development Group

Identify Your Deficiencies First

When I have important decisions to make and I am ill-informed with incomplete business intelligence, I start from the broad deficiencies and work my way into the detailed deficiencies and actionable remedies. I can then assess and select team members and specialists without project management inefficiencies, such as unnecessary workflows or excessive team size. – Thomas Andersen, BTA Cannabis CPA Tax

Lean on Team Members Closest to Day-to-Day Operations

When information is limited, I lean on my leadership team, who are deeply connected to the day-to-day operations. Their insight shapes better decisions, builds shared ownership and helps us move forward together with confidence and alignment. – Kelley Swing, Head Case Hair Studio

Consider Who May Have the Information You Don’t

It’s important to consider who may have a piece of information about the situation that you don’t have. Oftentimes, our information can be limited by our role. Taking the time to check with your colleagues can help you avoid a costly mistake. After that, make the best decision you can with the information you have, and that aligns with your personal values and company culture. – Bo Howard, Shapiro

Get Clear on What You Know and What You’re Assuming

I strive to get clear on what we know, what we’re assuming and what matters, then move. I involve the team through focused input, specific questions, defined risks and a clear decision owner, so progress stays fast without sacrificing trust or accountability. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC

Ask Yourself if the Planned Decision Is Consistent With Big-Picture Goals

To the best of your knowledge, is your planned decision consistent with your big-picture goals? With your values? Does your team support this choice? Do you have the resources to take the first step? Then do so. More clarity than this is rare and rarely needed. – Jed Brewer, Good Loud Media

Share Knowledge and Align on the Problem as a Team

In uncertainty, I gather my team. We talk; we listen. We share knowledge, align on the problem and move forward toward a solution, without slowing progress. It’s about visibility, vulnerability and transparency. – Marissa Andrada, Marissa Andrada

Keep Your Team in the Loop to Maintain Momentum

I decide based on direction, not perfection. I take what matters, move fast and adjust as we go instead of waiting for everything to be perfect. My team is looped in through quick check-ins and clear roles so everyone feels heard while the momentum stays strong. Energy and clarity keep things moving. – Becca Brazil, Only 1 Media PR

Be Decisive Without Overthinking

As a leader, you are always faced with making decisions without all the facts or information. A major key in leadership is being decisive and not spending too much time overthinking. Nothing kills momentum faster than waffling on a big decision. Being decisive does not ensure that you will get it right, but it does allow for a bad choice to be killed quickly so you can pivot to the correct one. – Nathan Green, New Level Radio

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