Leading Valiantly: Inspiring Leadership in Uncertain Times
Leading valiantly is not just about achieving results but also about inspiring and empowering others to reach their full potential. Jeannette knows a thing or two about resilience and grit, and she’ll share with you strategies to have an adventure and not an ordeal when being a leader is most challenging. Learn the three attributes that are fundamental to leading others, and specific action items attendees can do when the path isn’t always clear.
Leadership is about choice. I believe that better leaders make better choices, consistently. Every decision a leader makes stems from CARE - is the leader choosing what is best for them, or for the group, and COMMITMENT - is the leader deciding to take the path of least resistance, or will they see the initiative through.
This education session was built upon the Humanergy’s four choices of leadership. A transformative leader is committed to the outcome and focuses on being committed to serving the greater good.
Let’s be on the level - the irony of this title of this session is that it presumes that we lead ourselves and others in times of certainty - and for the record, anyone who works in the outdoor industry - or any industry for that matter, is always leading in uncertain times.
Resilience, continued learning, and decision making are three attributes that are imperative to successfully lead as a transformative leader encounters a time of uncertainty.
Regarding resilience in uncertain times, a leader can embrace flexibility, adjust strategies as needed, and encourage their teams to do the same. Walking towards the issue at hand and speaking openly and candidly about what the team is facing and how they intend to navigate it, while seemingly a challenge, actually opens up the space for the group to feel supported and the commitment to resolution.
In times of uncertainty, the ability to promote and support continued learning and growth is crucial for leaders to be role models. Leaders who prioritize their personal development and stay curious are better equipped to handle unpredictable situations - weather, legislation, human resource issues to name a few. Leaders who invest time in learning new skills, exploring innovative solutions, and staying informed about industry trends.
Uncertainty requires leaders to make tough decisions with limited information. Courageous decision-making involves taking calculated risks, standing by one's convictions, and making choices that may not always be popular but are necessary for long-term success. Leaders who make bold decisions, even in the face of uncertainty, show their teams that they have confidence in their direction. They balance the need for action with a thoughtful evaluation of potential risks, ensuring they lead with both courage and caution.
Communication is paramount to convey resilience, continuing learning and decision making, and the presentation closed with an invitation to follow a green path - and avoid and address staff who head down the red path.
As the outdoor industry enters 2025, it brings a myriad of issues including an administration change, challenges with human resources, permitting and access to public lands and waters, impacts of climate change, and the influence of social media. Choosing to lead in service of the greater good and a commitment to impact allows a transformative leader to thrive.
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Jeannette Stawski is the author of, “The Outdoor Leader” and owner of leadership development company Leading Valiantly. She currently serves as the Senior Assistant Director of Adventure Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. Jeannette recently stepped down as the executive director for the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE). She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and a Certified Executive Coach. She was the director of Outdoor Adventures at the University of Michigan for eleven years and has worked as a professional outdoor guide, a wilderness medicine instructor, and NOLS instructor. She is currently the chair of the Coalition for Outdoor Access (COA) and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband and their two children.