As an executive coach and team development consultant, I am often called on to help organizations and leaders navigate change or, as we’re seeing in 2025, warp-speed change.
For many, it all brings to mind a myriad of four-letter words. However, according to the 2025 Gallup Global Study results, the most impactful one that leaders need to embrace right now is: H-O-P-E.
The HOPE Gap
In my last blog post, I shared some of my preliminary insights from the Gallup 2025 Global Leaders Report, which looked at followership in 52 countries.
It revealed that the #1 need followers have of their leaders is HOPE.
Four Simple Strategies to Bring Hope to Your Team
But how do you provide hope in an authentic way as a leader right now?
With changing regulations, new tariffs in flux and the resulting economic concerns, how do you remind your team that there IS light at the end of the tunnel?
I have four strategies for you. If you have other suggestions or have success with any of these, please reach out – I’d love to learn more as we all navigate these times together.
1. Keep the Vision Alive
What is the cause, mission or outcome your team is working toward? Keep them focused on this.
Whatever today’s setback, chaos or disruption may be, it’s a bump in the road. That doesn’t mean it’s an easy bump to experience, but leaders need to inspire teams to focus on the road ahead. You CAN get through this current challenge to get where you are headed.
2. Remind Employees that They Have Successfully Managed Challenges in the Past
Five years ago, we were all personally and professionally forced to pivot when the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down.
As that crisis continued and variants emerged, we all continued to roll with the unpredictable punches. It wasn’t easy … but we came out the other side. Remind them of this and that we can learn to pivot in the current situation as well.
3. Highlight Specific Skills, Behaviors and Experiences That Your Team Has Access To
Turn your team’s attention to their assets and collective resources that will help them manage through whatever disruption you’re facing.
Inventory and talk through these skills and experiences with your staff. As the saying goes: “We were made for a time like this.”
4. Celebrate
This piece is so important – for those involved and those watching. It prevents drowning in negativity and inspires hope like perhaps nothing else can.
When you make progress – large or small – celebrate it. From absorbing new information quickly that just came out to adapting a process, it’s all a win that should be acknowledged.
Every Level of Leadership Matters
Employees need hope from the C-Suite at the top, of course, but it’s also critical that the managers they work with directly provide leadership infused with hope. You matter. Every level of leadership impacts the hope that will carry teams through these turbulent times.
