Leading a Team When the Strategy Keeps Changing

"It's tough to keep a team motivated when the strategy from the top keeps shifting. Without clear direction leaders have to figure out how to set priorities, keep morale up, and make sure their team's work has an impact. That's the challenge facing a leader who's going by "Michael", to protect his identity. He built an internal consulting team at a large global organization. Mid-level managers value the group, but the C-suite barely knows they exist."

"And frequent turnover at the top leaves him uncertain how to chart a course forward. He brings those concerns to executive coach Muriel Wilkins, host of the HBR podcast, Coaching Real Leaders. In their conversation, you'll hear Muriel advise Michael on how to anchor his team through ambiguity by celebrating small wins and applying the same tools he uses to coach others to himself."

An internal consulting leader built a valued team respected by mid-level managers but virtually unknown to the C-suite. Frequent executive turnover and shifting strategy leave the leader unsure how to set direction, prioritize work, and demonstrate impact. The leader struggles to sustain personal and team motivation amid constant change. A coach recommends anchoring the team by celebrating small wins, applying coaching techniques to oneself, clarifying priorities, communicating measurable impact, and engaging stakeholders. Emphasizing actionable wins and self-coaching helps maintain morale and focus until executive strategy stabilizes.

Read at Harvard Business Review