Steady in the Storm: Activate Your CORE in Times of Chaos
In Part 1, we explored how self-reflection helps you build your leadership CORE - Courage, Optimism, Resilience, and Empathy. In Part 2, we face the following challenge: applying that strength when the world shakes. Because authentic leadership isn’t tested in calm waters - it’s proven in the storm.
Oh, la LA! Oh, my MY!
The world’s been anything but predictable lately. Markets are wobbling. Confidence is shaky. On April 7, 2025, the Dow Jones dropped nearly 3.9%, the S&P 500 fell 4.2%, and the Nasdaq slid 4.5% - just one more reminder that chaos doesn’t send calendar invites.
And yet… as the world rocks and rolls, leadership doesn’t stop.
You still have projects to deliver. Teams to support. Goals to hit. And let’s be honest - life outside of work isn’t hitting pause either. When everything feels like it’s yo-yoing, how do you stay grounded?
Here’s the truth:
You can’t control the rollercoaster. But you can strengthen your CORE.
What’s Your CORE?
When things feel uncertain, the best leaders don’t just power through - they go within. They focus on the one thing that can be built in the middle of the storm: their inner strength.
That strength comes from your CORE:
Courage
Optimism
Resilience
Empathy
These four attributes form your emotional leadership anchor - the qualities that keep you steady when the world gets messy.
John F. Kennedy said,
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
The future is here, but the past can still teach.
How?
I’ve Been There Too
This isn’t just a leadership framework. It’s personal.
Years ago, I found myself leading through a true crisis. I was working in Zimbabwe during an economic collapse. Hyperinflation was skyrocketing. The government put price controls on what we could charge for food staples, demanding that we keep products on shelves, even though all input costs were not regulated. Our suppliers increased their prices to us almost daily. Our dilemma:
Producing meant financial ruin.
Not producing meant facing government backlash and public outrage. Starving families needed food. And inaction was seen as betrayal.
It was one of the most complex decisions I’ve ever made. Thankfully, we had an excellent leadership executive team. That said, there was no perfect playbook.
What I leaned on then - and still do today - was my CORE. I had to:
Find the courage to act when there is no obvious correct answer.
Hold onto optimism that something better was possible.
Tap into resilience when each day felt like walking a tightrope.
And most importantly, lead with empathy - for my team, our customers, and the communities relying on us.
That experience taught me this:
Your core is your pivot point. When everything around you shakes, it helps you stay steady.
The CORE, Broken Down
Courage
For the conversations you’ve been avoiding.
For giving honest feedback or admitting when you’re overwhelmed.
For speaking up when others stay silent.
Optimism
Not toxic positivity — but grounded hope.
A belief that better is possible, even if you’re not there yet.
Resilience
Your bounce-back muscle.
The thing that gets you up after a tough day, a missed target, or a failed meeting.
Empathy
The ability to truly see your team. Your customers. Yourself.
To listen not just for what’s said, but for what’s meant.
“Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.” – Mohsin Hamid
Real Talk: This Will Disrupt Your Rhythm
Let’s be clear - developing your CORE isn’t effortless.
When you focus on growth, you disrupt the comfort zone. And that brings all kinds of resistance:
Fear of changing your routine
Fear of the unknown
Fear of failing
Worry about your professional reputation
Even anxiety about job security or how others perceive you
You’re not just tweaking how you work - you’re reshaping who you are as a leader.
And yes, that’s uncomfortable. But it’s also where growth lives.
A Simple Habit to Build Your CORE
Here’s something you can start this week. It’s quick. Powerful. And it gets your whole team growing together:
The Weekly CORE Check-In (15 minutes max)
Each team member answers four quick prompts:
Courage – What did I do this week that pushed me outside my comfort zone?
Optimism – What’s something that gave me hope this week?
Resilience – Where did I bounce back from a challenge?
Empathy – When did I try to understand someone else’s perspective more deeply?
Write them down. Share them. Reflect on them together.
You’ll be amazed at how quickly emotional intelligence - and connection - start to grow.
Final Thoughts: Activate What You Built
Whether you’re starting with stillness or responding to shaking ground, remember this:
Lead from your CORE, not your calendar.
One moment of reflection. One act of courage. One steady response at a time.
Your CORE is the anchor and pivot in turbulent environments.
If you missed Part 1, go back and explore how to build your CORE by going inward – to gain the inner clarity that makes this kind of leadership possible.
You’ve got this.
Lead with excellence.
Gary Good
Founder, LeaderLegacy
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