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Rising from the Ashes: A Leader's Guide to Navigating Unexpected Challenges

Writer's picture: Rúna BouiusRúna Bouius

Rising from the Ashes: A Leader's Guide to Navigating Unexpected Challenges

In the midst of chaos—whether from natural disasters, business setbacks, or personal tragedies—true leadership emerges not through perfection, but through human connection and resilience. 


Drawing from personal experience during the Los Angeles fires and insights from leadership experts, here's a roadmap for leading through uncertainty.


The Heart of Crisis Leadership


When disaster strikes, the first instinct might be to freeze or panic. 


Instead, effective leaders do something powerful: they acknowledge the shared human experience of shock and vulnerability. 


It's not about having all the answers, but about creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

Key Strategies for Leading Through Turbulence


1. Name the Emotional Landscape

Recognize the collective trauma. A simple two-minute check-in can ground a team, reducing isolation and building community. Emotions aren't weakness—they're a bridge to understanding.


2. Empathy as Your Strongest Tool

Leadership isn't about being stoic—it's about standing alongside others. Show genuine care. A simple "I see you. We'll get through this together" can be more powerful than any strategic plan.


3. Purpose Amidst Chaos

Work can be a lifeline during crises. Some people find comfort in staying engaged, while others need space. The key is flexibility—create room for different coping mechanisms.


4. Communication is Your Compass

Provide clear, frequent updates. When information is scarce, people fill the void with fear. Regular communication, even if brief, helps maintain confidence and connection.


5. Patience: Your Hidden Superpower

Expect disruption. Be ready to adjust deadlines, redistribute tasks, and support team members who are directly impacted. Compassion trumps rigid productivity.


The Unexpected Gift of Vulnerability


Counterintuitively, showing your own vulnerability can inspire collective strength. By admitting "This is tough" while simultaneously saying "We will get through this," you transform individual pain into shared resilience.


Community is our ultimate lifeline. Crises reveal humanity's most remarkable quality—our capacity for unity. 


Whether through small gestures of support or larger relief efforts, the community becomes the foundation of recovery.

Final Reflection


Leadership during unexpected challenges isn't about having a perfect plan. It's about staying grounded, leading with empathy, and believing in our collective ability to rebuild, reconnect, and rise stronger.


From the ashes of uncertainty, we don't just survive—we transform.


To follow Runa, sign up to her TruePower Newsletter for transformative insights and inspiration.



About the Author


Rúna Bouius

Fractional Leadership Officer & Executive Co

Rúna Bouius

Fractional Leadership Officer & Executive Coach


Rúna Bouius, a visionary Icelandic futurist and conscious leadership expert, transforms business thinking through speaking, writing, and coaching. 

As a former CEO and serial entrepreneur, she co-founded Conscious Capitalism LA Chapter and Coventina Foundation, championing regenerative leadership and societal change.


Read her story here.

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