Leading With Confidence in Uncertain Times
Hey friends, it’s Maryanne, and today I want to dig into something that comes up again and again when I work with nonprofit leaders: how do we lead with confidence when fear and uncertainty seem to be everywhere?
This question came from one of my clients, Ty, who asked, “How do I lead with confidence when there’s so much to be afraid of these days?”
It’s such an important question because, let’s be real—uncertainty is not going anywhere. We may long for certainty and control, but those are illusions. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that the ground can shift overnight. Policies change, funding streams dry up, crises hit, and suddenly we’re left scrambling.
But here’s the truth: fear doesn’t mean something’s wrong. Fear is a natural part of leadership and growth. In fact, if you’re not feeling fear at all, you’re probably not stretching yourself enough.
So let’s talk about how to lead confidently—not by erasing fear (you can’t), but by changing your relationship to it.
Step 1: Anchor in Purpose
Fear narrows our vision until all we see are threats. Purpose widens it again. When you reconnect with your mission, you tap into something bigger than your fear.
Think about it: you can’t be nervous when you’re in service. When you walk into that donor meeting, that community conversation, or that boardroom, shift the focus away from yourself and back to the mission. That alignment reminds you: this is why I’m here, and this is why it matters.
Step 2: Feel the Fear (But Don’t Let It Drive the Bus)
Confidence isn’t the absence of fear—it’s courage in spite of it. Fear has a role; it’s there to keep us alive, to make us pay attention. So instead of pushing it down, acknowledge it: Yes, I’m scared. And yes, I’m still moving forward.
Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s influence. Your team, your board, and your community trust you more when you admit the hard stuff. It creates connection.
Step 3: Cultivate Inner Safety
Here’s where the real work happens. Confidence comes when you create safety inside yourself. That means learning how to regulate your nervous system—breathing, grounding, moving your body, journaling, even just pausing before a meeting.
Ask yourself: Where does fear show up in my body? In your chest? In your gut? In shaky hands? Then give your body the tools it needs to move through that fear so you can show up calm and centered.
Step 4: Focus on What You Can Influence
You can’t control the world, but you can influence your presence, your words, and your energy. That’s your “power zone.”
Here’s how it works:
Your energy influences your thoughts.
Your thoughts shape your words.
Your words influence outcomes.
Confidence grows when you work within this power zone. Even when fear is riding shotgun, you can still lead from calm, grounded energy.
Step 5: Embrace Transparency
This one is big: you don’t need all the answers. In fact, people trust you more when you say, “I don’t know yet, but here’s what I do know. And here’s what we’re going to try.”
We’ve been conditioned to believe leaders must always look strong, polished, and unshakable. That’s a lie. True leadership is about authenticity. When you model honesty and openness, you give others permission to do the same—and that builds trust faster than any polished façade ever could.
Step 6: Surround Yourself With Bravery
Confidence is contagious. Get yourself in community with other courageous leaders. This could mean joining a mastermind, setting up monthly check-ins with colleagues, or simply building rhythms with friends who lift you up.
When you see others navigating fear and moving forward anyway, you remember: I can do this too.
Negotiating With Fear: A Simple 4-Step Process
Here’s a quick framework you can use in the moment when fear hits hard:
Name it. Say it out loud: I’m afraid this donor will say no.
Normalize it. Of course you’re scared. Asking for support is vulnerable.
Narrow it. Get specific. What exactly are you afraid of? Vague fear paralyzes. Specific fear can be addressed.
Negotiate with it. Thank fear for trying to protect you, then remind it that your confident self is in charge.
This practice doesn’t make fear disappear—it just keeps it from running the show.
Final Thought
If you’re feeling afraid right now, let me reassure you: nothing is wrong with you. Fear means you’re in the work. It means you’re pushing boundaries, growing, and doing the bold, meaningful work nonprofits exist to do—challenging systems, asking for big things, creating change.
So don’t wait for confidence to magically appear. Cultivate it. Walk side by side with fear, let it inform you but not control you, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Because just like Superman said, being human—fear and all—is your greatest strength.
If this resonated with you and you’re ready to deepen your confidence as a leader, check out my UpLevel Your Influence course. It’s designed to help nonprofit leaders like you harness your energy, step fully into your power, and lead with clarity—even in uncertain times. Click here to learn more