Copyright Inc. Magazine
If ever there was a time for leaders to prove their trustworthiness, it’s now. EXPERT OPINION BY JERRY COLONNA, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, REBOOT Nov 1, 2025 Illustration: Getty Images I often speak of slowing down to make decisions by pausing and aligning with your truths and values to make the best leadership choice. I stand by the need to call time out when replies and demands become overwhelming. However, I’m noticing a new trend in leadership that is having a detrimental effect on teams everywhere. I’m quite proud of my ability to maintain my boundaries. It’s something that took me much of my life to develop. But for many leaders, the pauses are turning into full stops, with decisions left indefinitely on the table and actions increasingly and forever stunted. I’m reminded of the well-loved and worn-out phrase that parents everywhere use when they are uncertain: “Let’s wait and see what happens.” In a world full of so much uncertainty, I’m not surprised to see leaders adopt this position. The truth is, nothing happens when you wait, which means minimizing risk. There’s the rub There’s a difference between uncomfortable silence and silence itself. I tell my clients to sit with the uneasy feelings, but letting those same feelings seep into the ether isn’t the same as ignoring them altogether. Featured Video An Inc.com Featured Presentation But I get it. It’s risky to make a decision when nothing is specific. Do you invest in culture, team well-being, and morale building? Do you put all your eggs into financial goals and operational demands? Where is your time best spent? What decisions are going to benefit your business the most? What will the implications of big and bold moves be in an ever-shifting world? There are no easy answers. However, there have to be decisions. There must be trust in your leadership, and that trust cannot come from tiptoeing around choices. Trust is crucial If ever there was a time for leaders to prove their trustworthiness, it’s now. As I wrote in my book Reboot, “time and again I’ve watched hearts break open, so that authentic leaders can emerge. But that process depends on a brave first step: facing the reality of what is.” How can you build trust and move forward without getting caught in a fear-based indecision loop? How to build trust right now Stop waiting. The first step in building trust right now is to stop waiting. Stop hitting the permanent pause button, because there is no end in sight to the uncertainty and you can’t wait forever to instill significant changes. That first step must come from you, and it must come from breaking your heart open to find your authentic leadership voice—the one that will be heard despite the ambiguity. Show consistency in your goals and vision. The next step is to show the people you lead that your vision, business, and work will move forward as they were always meant to. That your goals and ambitions haven’t changed despite the environment. Also, that you are investing your leadership in the people who surround you, because that’s what matters the most. Allow for creativity and set long-term goals. Choosing smaller projects over bigger ones may seem like the safe interim solution until something shifts and you can feel secure and sure in every choice you make. However, that’s magical thinking, and it’s never going to happen. In leadership, there is no certainty, only the core values that guide you. You can always return to them whenever a decision needs to be made. If the larger project aligns with what drives you as a leader and what will motivate the people you lead, move ahead. Know that your decision won’t be perfect. This is nothing new. Leadership decisions have never had predictable outcomes. It may feel different right now, but it’s fundamentally the same leadership path that’s always existed. You will mess up. Your choices could have detrimental effects. But the opposite is always a possibility, too. Be present. This one is simple, but I am watching leaders avoid tough conversations and skip team meetings for fear of not having the answers. However, that’s precisely what builds team trust—navigating uncertainty with the people you lead and showing them that you are not flawless. Leading with a future focus You are leading during a time of great flux. Nothing is certain. There are no easy answers, and there’s no clear end in sight. However, that doesn’t mean you should stop leading. If anything, it means you should lead with more power by moving ahead, setting the example, and building absolute trust in the people you lead. Because they’re breathing the same anxious air, and they’ll look to you for resolve. The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
